Heated or cooled dishwasher safe dishware and drinkware

ABSTRACT

An actively heated mug or travel mug is provided. The mug or travel mug can include a body that receives a liquid therein and a heating system at least partially disposed in the body. The heating system can include one or more heating elements that heat a surface of the receiving portion of the body and one or more energy storage devices. The mug or travel mug can include a wireless power receiver that wirelessly receives power from a power source and control circuitry configured to charge one or more power storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating elements. The mug or travel mug also can have one or more sensors that sense a parameter of the liquid or sense a parameter of the heating system and communicates the sensed information to the control circuitry. The control circuitry can turn on, turn off, and/or operate the heating element to actively heat at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in a heated state generally at a user selected temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed parameter information. The mug or travel mug can also be paired with a remote device or mobile electronic device to send or receive communications or commands.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/830,934, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/287,967, filed Nov.2, 2011, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional App. No. 61/409,493, filed Nov. 2, 2010, the entire contentsof both of which is hereby incorporated by reference and should beconsidered a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The invention is directed to dishware and drinkware, such as plates andmugs, and more particularly to actively heated or cooled dishware anddrinkware.

2. Description of the Related Art

Dishware (e.g., plates, bowls), serverware (e.g., platters, servingdishes, hot plates) and drinkware (e.g., cups, mugs, travel mugs, liquidcontainers, baby bottles, drinking bottles) are sometimes made ofceramic materials. Plates are sometimes heated by placing into an oven,so that the food on the plate can be maintained warm for a longer timethan if the plate was not heated. For example, in some restaurants,plates will be heated prior to food being placed thereon, orsimultaneously with the food (e.g., a steak) thereon. For example, aplate holding a steak can be placed into an oven to cook the steak, andonce removed the plate maintains the food warm for a while. In someinstances, a plate or bowl might also be chilled to maintain foodthereon cold for a longer period of time (e.g., salad, gazpacho) than ifthe plate was not chilled. However, such heating and cooling mechanismsare passive mechanisms that rely on the release of heat, in the case ofa heated plate, or the absorption of heat, in the case of a chilledplate, by the plate based on the heat transfer properties of the ceramicmaterial.

However, technology for actively heating, or cooling, dishwasher safedishware or drinkware is not readily available. Accordingly, there is aneed for dishwasher safe dishware (e.g., plates, bowls), serverware(e.g., platters, serving dishes, hot plates) and drinkware (e.g., cups,mugs, travel mugs, liquid containers, baby bottles, drinking bottles)that can be actively heated or cooled during use.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, an actively heated mug or travel mugis provided. The actively heated mug or travel mug comprises a bodyhaving a receiving portion for receiving and holding a liquid and aheating system. The heating system comprises one or more heatingelements configured to heat one or more surfaces of the receivingportion of the body, one or more power storage elements, and a wirelesspower receiver configured to wirelessly receive power from a powersource. The heating system further comprises control circuitryelectrically connected to the wireless power receiver, the controlcircuitry configured to charge the one or more power storage elementsand to control the delivery of electricity from the one or more powerstorage elements to the one or more heating elements. The heating systemfurther comprises one or more sensors configured to sense a parameter ofthe liquid and/or sense a parameter of the heating system andcommunicate said sensed parameter information to the control circuitry.The control circuitry is configured to turn on, turn off, and/or operatethe one or more heating elements at a given power setting based at leastin part on the sensed parameter information.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated mug or travelmug is provided. The actively heated mug or travel mug comprises a bodyhaving a receiving portion for receiving and holding a liquid, the bodyhaving a vacuum insulated chamber configured to reduce the rate in whichheat energy exits the mug or travel mug, and a heating system. Theheating system comprises one or more heating elements configured to heatone or more surfaces of the receiving portion of the body, one or morepower storage elements, and a wireless power receiver configured towirelessly receive power from a power source. The heating system furthercomprises control circuitry electrically connected to the wireless powerreceiver, the control circuitry configured to charge one or more powerstorage elements and to control the delivery of electricity from the oneor more power storage elements to the one or more heating elements.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated mug or travelmug is provided. The actively heated mug or travel mug comprises a bodyhaving a receiving portion for receiving and holding a liquid, and aheating system. The heating system comprises one or more heatingelements configured to heat one or more surfaces of the receivingportion of the body, one or more heating elements configured to heat oneor more surfaces of the receiving portion of the body, and controlcircuitry electrically connected to the wireless power receiver, thecontrol circuitry configured to charge one or more power storageelements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or morepower storage elements to the one or more heating elements. The activelyheated mug or travel mug further comprises a user interface on a surfaceof the body, the user interface being electrically connected to thecontrol circuitry and having one or more user actuatable controls toprovide operating instructions to the control circuitry. The controlcircuitry is configured to operate the one or more heating elements toactively heat at least a portion of the body to maintain the liquid in aheated state generally at a user selected temperature setting based atleast in part on said instructions.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated mug or travelmug is provided. The actively heated mug or travel mug comprises a bodyhaving a receiving portion for receiving and holding a liquid, and aheating system. The heating system comprises one or more heatingelements configured to heat one or more surfaces of the receivingportion of the body, one or more power storage elements, a wirelesspower receiver configured to wirelessly receive power from a powersource, and control circuitry electrically connected to the wirelesspower receiver, the control circuitry configured to charge one or morepower storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity fromthe one or more power storage elements to the one or more heatingelements. The heating system further comprises a wireless transmitter orreceiver and/or transceiver configured to establish a communicationconnection with a remote device or mobile electronic device.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe or liquid container isprovided comprising a body having a receiving portion for receiving andholding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. The heating or coolingsystem comprises one or more heating or cooling elements configured toactively heat or cool at least a portion of the receiving portion of thebody, control circuitry configured to control the operation of the oneor more heating or cooling elements, and one or more liquid levelsensors configured to sense a liquid level in the receiving portion andto communicate the sensed liquid level to the control circuitry. Thecontrol circuitry is configured to operate each of the one or moreheating or cooling elements independently of each other based at leastin part on the sensed liquid level, such that the control circuitry canturn off or turn on or reduce power to or increase power to at least oneof the one or more heating or cooling elements based at least in part onthe sensed liquid level. In a further aspect, where the one or moreheating or cooling elements are one or more thermoelectric elements, thecontrol circuitry can reverse polarity to at least one of the one ormore thermoelectric elements.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe or liquid container isprovided comprising a body having a receiving portion for receiving andholding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. The heating or coolingsystem comprises one or more heating or cooling elements configured toactively heat or cool at least a portion of the receiving portion of thebody, and control circuitry configured to control the operation of theone or more heating or cooling elements. The control of or location ofthe one or more heating or cooling elements is configured to induce acirculation of liquid within the receiving portion of the body tomaintain substantially uniform liquid temperature within the volume ofliquid in the receiving portion.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe or liquid container isprovided comprising a body having a receiving portion for receiving andholding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. The heating or coolingsystem comprises one or more heating or cooling elements configured toactively heat or cool at least a portion of the receiving portion of thebody, one or more power storage elements, a wireless power receiverconfigured to wirelessly receiver power from a power source, controlcircuitry electrically connected to the wireless power receiver, thecontrol circuitry configured to control the charging of the one or morepower storage elements and to control the delivery of electricity fromthe one or more power storage elements to the one or more heating orcooling elements to maintain a temperature of the liquid at apredetermined drinking temperature or within a predetermined drinkingtemperature range, and one or more ultrasound liquid sensors configuredto sense a level of the liquid in the receiving portion via a change infrequency and to communicate said sensed level information to thecontrol circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to operate theone or more heating or cooling elements to actively heat or cool atleast a portion of the receiving portion of the body to maintain thetemperature of the liquid generally at a user selected or factory presetdrinking temperature setting based at least in part on the sensed liquidlevel.

In accordance with another embodiment, an actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe or liquid container isprovided comprising a body having a receiving portion for receiving andholding a liquid and a heating or cooling system. The heating or coolingsystem comprises one or more heating or cooling elements configured toactively heat or cool at least a portion of the receiving portion of thebody, one or more power storage elements, and control circuitryconfigured to control the charging of the one or more power storageelements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or morepower storage elements to the one or more heating or cooling elements tomaintain a temperature of the liquid at a predetermined drinkingtemperature or within a predetermined drinking temperature range. Awireless transmitter or receiver and/or transceiver is configured toestablish a communication connection with a remote device or mobileelectronic device, the transceiver configured to transmit operationinformation to the remote device or mobile electronic device as well asto receive instructions from the remote device or mobile electronicdevice. A display screen is on a surface of the body, the display screenbeing electrically connected to the control circuitry.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of aheated or cooled plate.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the heated or cooled plate ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the heated or cooledplate of FIG. 1 and a charging base for the plate.

FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective bottom view of another embodiment ofa heated or cooled plate that is similar to the plate of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective top view of the heated or cooledplate of FIG. 3A and a charging base for the plate.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of a charging stand for storingmultiple heated or cooled plates, and a plurality of heated or cooledplates stored on the stand.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the charging stand of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective top view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate.

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of one embodiment of aheated or cooled mug and its charging base.

FIG. 9 is a schematic exploded view of the heated or cooled mug in FIG.8

FIG. 9A is a schematic exploded view of another embodiment of a heatedor cooled mug.

FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of oneembodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug.

FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective exploded view of the heated or cooledtravel mug of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the heated or cooled travelmug of FIG. 10 and its associated charging base.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug.

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view of the heated or cooled travelmug of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 19 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a wand foruse with a heated or cooled plate, bowl, serving dish, mug, cup, travelmug or liquid container.

FIG. 20 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of aheated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a chargingstation for use with one or more plates, bowls or serving dishes.

FIG. 22 is a schematic front view of the charging station in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of the charging station of FIG.21 holding a plurality of plates, bowls or serving dishes.

FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of the charting station of FIG.23 with one of the plates, bowls or serving dishes shown dismounted fromthe charging station.

FIG. 25 is a schematic exploded view of one embodiment of a heated orcooled plate.

FIG. 26 is a schematic cross-sectional assembled view of the heated orcooled plate of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a schematic perspective exploded view of another embodimentof a heated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 28 is a schematic bottom perspective exploded view of the heated orcooled plate, bowl or serving dish of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a schematic perspective exploded view of another embodimentof a heated or cooled plate, bowl or serving dish.

FIG. 30 is a schematic bottom perspective exploded view of the heated orcooled plate, bowl or serving dish of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a schematic exploded view of one embodiment of a heated orcooled baby bottle liquid container.

FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional assembled view of the heated orcooled baby bottle of FIG. 31.

FIG. 33 is a box diagram of one method of operating a heated or cooledplate, bowl, serving dish, mug, cup, travel mug or liquid container.

FIG. 34A is a schematic diagram showing counterclockwise circulation ofliquid flow induced by a heating or cooling system in a cup, mug, travelmug or liquid container.

FIG. 34B is a schematic diagram showing clockwise circulation of liquidflow induced by a heating or cooling system in a cup, mug, travel mug orliquid container.

FIG. 34C is a schematic diagram showing counterclockwise circulation ofliquid flow induced by a heating or cooling system in a cup, mug, travelmug or liquid container, where operation (e.g., turning off, on) of oneor more heating and cooling elements depends at least in part on sensedliquid level.

FIG. 34D is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of achilled drinkware unit, such as a beer mug.

FIG. 35 is a schematic view of a user interface on a travel mugdepicting weather information.

FIG. 36 is a schematic view of a user interface on a travel mugdepicting the temperature of the liquid in the travel mug.

FIG. 37 is a schematic view showing communication between a travel mugand an electronic device (e.g., mobile phone).

FIG. 38A shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a travel mug placedthereon.

FIG. 38B shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a mug placed thereon.

FIG. 38C shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a bowl placed thereon.

FIG. 38D shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a plate placed thereon.

FIG. 38E shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a beer mug placedthereon.

FIG. 38F shows one embodiment of a wireless energy transmitter in atable, counter, or bar for transmitting power to a baby bottle placedthereon.

FIG. 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of adouble walled travel mug.

FIG. 40 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of adouble-walled travel mug.

FIG. 41 is a schematic view of an actively heated bread basket.

FIG. 42 is a schematic view of an actively heated tortilla warmer.

FIG. 43 is a schematic view of a mug (e.g., travel mug) with an electrichand warmer.

FIG. 44 is a schematic block diagram showing communication between anelectronic module in actively heated/cooled drinkware, dishware, orserverware and a user interface thereon and/or on a remote electronicdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 show one embodiment of heated or cooled dishware orserverware. In particular, FIGS. 1-3 show one embodiment of a heated orcooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish. In the illustrated embodiment,the plate 100, bowl or serving dish has a circumferential wall 10 with aside surface 30 a and a base 20 having a top surface 20 a, where theside surface 30 a and top surface 20 a define a recess 30 that can holdfood (e.g., receiving portion of the plate that holds food). In anotherembodiment, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can be flat with agenerally flat top surface (e.g., where the food receiving portion isnot recessed). The wall 10 extends from a top edge 12 to a bottom edge14. A bottom portion 40 of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish defines abottom surface 42 of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish, which isrecessed relative to the edge 14. A bottom section 19 defines a recess16 of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish, such that the edge 14, notthe bottom surface 42, contacts a table or counter surface when theplate 100, bowl or serving dish is placed on the table or countersurface. In another embodiment, the bottom surface 42 can be flush withthe bottom edge 14, not recessed relative to the edge 14. In stillanother embodiment, the bottom surface 42 can protrude from the bottomof the plate 100, bowl or serving dish relative to the edge 14. Theplate 100, bowl or serving dish can look (e.g., be sized and shaped)like a conventional plate and fit within standard dishwasher racks.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the bottom portion 40 attaches tothe wall 10 so that a cavity 50 is defined between the bottom portion 40and the base 20, where the cavity 50 is sized to house severalcomponents, as described below. As shown in FIG. 2, the plate 100, bowlor serving dish can include a heating or cooling system 55, which caninclude a heating or cooling element 60, an insulative member 70, one ormore electrical energy storage devices 80 electrically connected to theheating of cooling element 60, and an electronic module 90. The heatingor cooling element 60, insulative member 70, electrical energy storagedevices 80 and electronic module 90 can be disposed (e.g., embedded) ina bottom section of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish. In anotherembodiment, the heating or cooling system 55 can be housed in a modulethat is removably attachable to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish. Inthis embodiment, the heating or cooling element 60 and insulating member70 can be a part of the removable module or can be disposed in theplate, and not part of the removable module.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling element 60 can be heater orheating wire that is disposed adjacent a bottom surface 20 b of the base20 (e.g., adhered or otherwise secured to the bottom surface 20 b),where the heater wire can heat up and transfer heat to the top surface20 a of the base 20 via conduction through the base 20 (e.g., to raisethe temperature of the base 20 above ambient temperature to maintainfood on the plate 100, bowl or serving dish warm, such as at a desiredtemperature or within a desired temperature range). In one embodiment,the heating or cooling system 55 can include a drive transistor toaccommodate heavy switching current flowing from the electrical energystorage element 80 to one or more low resistance heating or coolingelement 60. The insulative member 70 can be plate-like and disposedproximate the heating or cooling element 60 so that the heating orcooling element 60 is interposed between the insulative member 70 andthe base 20. In one embodiment, the insulative member 70 can be aceramic plate. However, in other embodiments, the insulative member 70can be made of other suitable materials that are thermally insulative.In still other embodiments, the insulative member 70 can be excluded.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the one or more energy storagedevices 80 can in one embodiment be batteries, such as rechargeablebatteries. For example, the one or more energy storage devices 80 can belithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries or lithium polymer (Li-poly) batteries.However, in other embodiments where the energy storage devices 80 arebatteries, the batteries can be other suitable types (e.g., lead acid,nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride). In one embodiment, the batterycan be provided in combination with a step-up transformer to provide therequired voltage. In another embodiment, the one or more energy storagedevices 80 can be capacitors. The one or more energy storage devices 80can be electrically connected to the heating or cooling element 60 andconfigured to supply power to the heating or cooling element 60 to heator cool at least a portion of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish.

The electronic module 90 can be attached to a top surface 44 of thebottom portion 40 and electrically connected to the one or more energystorage devices 80. In one embodiment, the electronic module 90 caninclude one or more of a wireless power receiver 92, control circuitry94 (e.g., controller circuit, microcontroller, etc.) and a charger 96(e.g., charging circuit) for charging the one or more energy storagedevices 80. In other embodiments, the electronic module 90 can havedifferent or additional electronics. The electronic module 90 caninclude a microcontroller unit (MCU) with capacitive sensing and graphiccontrol features. In one embodiment, the wireless power receiver 92 iselectrically connected to the battery charger 96, which is connected tothe one or more energy storage devices 80 that are then electricallyconnected to the heating or cooling element 60 through a controllercircuit 94. The control circuitry can also be used to manage thecharging of the one or more energy storage devices 80. In anotherembodiment, where the energy storage devices 80 are excluded (asdiscussed further below), the wireless power receiver 92 can beelectrically connected directly to the heating or cooling element 60.The control circuitry 94 can operate to manage the power delivered tothe heating or cooling element 60.

In one embodiment, the bottom portion 40 can be removably attached tothe plate 100, bowl or serving dish to allow access to the heating orcooling system 55 in the cavity 50. For example, the bottom portion 40can be mechanically coupled to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish(e.g., with screws, a threaded interface between the bottom portion 40and the plate 100, bowl or serving dish, a press-fit connection, etc.).The bottom portion 40 can be removed to allow the replacing of the oneor more energy storage devices 80 and the servicing of the heating orcooling system 55. In one embodiment, the bottom portion 40 can be awater resistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded onor screwed) to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish for accessing theheating or cooling system 55. In another embodiment, the bottom portion40 can be a water resistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g.,threaded on or screwed) to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish foraccessing the one or more energy storage devices 80. In yet anotherembodiment, the energy storage devices 80 can be in a pack that isattached (e.g., threaded, snap fit, screwed down) onto the bottom of theplate 100, bowl or serving dish, where the pack's electrical contactsconnect with a set of electrical contacts on the bottom of the plate100, bowl or serving dish, as shown for example in FIGS. 27-28 anddescribed below. In still another embodiment, the one or more energystorage devices 80 can be sealed in the body of the plate 100 and not beremovable (e.g., the heating or cooling system 55 and electronics of theplate 100 can be sealed in the plate so as to not be removable). Thisconfiguration (e.g., sealed energy storage elements 80 that are notremovable) can also be incorporated into any other drinkware, dishwareor serverware devices, such as the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 1100, 1300,1400, mug 400 and travel mug 600, cup, baby bottle 1500 or liquidcontainer discussed below.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, a charging base 200 can have aprotruding or raised section 220 with a top surface 222 and a bottomsurface 224. A wireless power transmitter 240 can be attached to thebottom surface 224. The protruding section 220 is preferably shaped andsized to at least partially fit into the recess 16 in the plate 100,bowl or serving dish, such that the top surface 222 is adjacent thebottom surface 42 of the bottom portion 40. Advantageously, theprotruding section 220 fits at least partially into the recess 16 so asto generally align the electronic module 90 over the wireless powertransmitter 240 to facilitate wireless power transmission between thewireless power transmitter 240 and the wireless power receiver 92. Inanother embodiment, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can have aprotruding portion and the charging base 200 a recessed portion, wherethe protruding portion fits at least partially within the recessedportion when the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is coupled to thecharging base 200. The wireless power transmitter 220 can beelectrically connected to a power source (not shown), such as a walloutlet, via a power cord (not shown).

In one embodiment, the wireless power transmitter 240 can be aninduction coil and the wireless power receiver 92 can also be aninduction coil. Therefore, in one embodiment, the charging base 200 canwirelessly transmit power from the power transmitter 240 to the wirelesspower receiver 92 via induction coupling. However, transmission of powerfrom the wireless power transmitter 240 to the wireless power receiver92 is not limited to inductive coupling. In other embodiments, otherforms of short-distance wireless energy transfer can be used (e.g.,microwave energy). In still other embodiments, further discussed below,long-distance wireless energy transfer can be used to transmit power tothe wireless power receiver 92, without the use of a charging base.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system 55 is advantageouslyembedded or housed in the body of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish sothat no portion of the heating or cooling system 55 is exposed or can becontacted by a user while holding the plate 100, bowl or serving dish.Therefore, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can advantageously beexposed to water or other liquids, e.g., in a sink or in a dishwasher,without exposing the heating or cooling system 55 to said water orliquids, thereby inhibiting damage to the heating or cooling system 55.Additionally, by having all components embedded or housed in the body ofthe plate 100, bowl or serving dish, the plate 100, bowl or serving dishcan be aesthetically pleasing as it looks like a conventional plate.

FIGS. 3A-3B shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled plate 100′″,bowl or serving dish. The heated or cooled plate 100′″, bowl or servingdish is similar to the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dishand includes the same components and features disclosed for the heatedor cooled plate 100, except as noted below. Thus, the reference numeralsused to designate the various components of the heated or cooled plate100′″, bowl or serving dish are identical to those used for identifyingthe corresponding components of the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl orserving dish in FIGS. 1-3, except that a “′″” has been added to thereference numerals.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the plate 100′″, bowlor serving dish can include one or more corrosion resistant electricalcontacts 46′″ on an outer surface of the plate 100′″, bowl or servingdish, such as the bottom surface 42′″ of the bottom portion 40′″ of theplate 100′″, bowl or serving dish, where the electrical contacts aresized and shaped to contact corresponding electrical contacts 246′″ onthe charging base 200′″ (e.g., on the top surface 222′″ of theprotruding section 220′″ of the charging base 200′″), when the plate100′″, bowl or serving dish is placed on the charging base 200′″ so thatpower is transmitted from the charging base 200′″ to the energy storagedevices 80″, heating or cooling element 60′″ and/or electronic module90′″ in the plate 100′″, bowl or serving dish through the electricalcontacts 46′″, 246′″. In one embodiment, the electrical contacts of theplate 100′″, bowl or serving dish can protrude from a surface of theplate 100′″, bowl or serving dish, such as electrical posts. In anotherembodiment, shown in FIG. 3A, the electrical contacts 46′″ of the plate100′″, bowl or serving dish can be one or more contact pads on thebottom surface 42″ of the bottom portion 40′″ of the plate 100′″, bowlor serving dish, which can contact corresponding contacts, such as thepin contacts 246′″ on the top surface 222′″ of the charging base 200′″.However, the electrical contacts on the plate 100′″, bowl or servingdish and charging base 200′″ can have other suitable configurations. Asshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the plate 100′″ can have a slot 48′″ on thebottom surface of the plate 100′″, bowl or serving dish (e.g., formed onthe bottom surface 42′″ of the bottom portion 40′″ of the plate 100′″,bowl or serving dish) that is sized and shaped to receive a pin or key248′″ on the charging base 200′″. The slot 48′″ and pin or key 248′″provide a “clocking” aspect of the plate 100′″, bowl or serving dishthat allows the electrical contacts 46′″ of the plate 100′″, bowl orserving dish to readily align with the electrical contacts 246′″ of thecharging base 200′″. However, in another embodiment, the slot can beformed on the charging base 200′″ and the pin or key can be formed onthe bottom of the plate 100′″, bowl or serving dish. This configurationof electrical contacts and slot/key arrangement can also be incorporatedinto any other drinkware, dishware or serverware devices, such as theplate 800, 800′, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400 and travel mug 600, cup, babybottle 1500 or liquid container discussed below.

In another embodiment, the heating or cooling system 55 can be housed ina non-water proof module that can be removably attached to the plate100, bowl or serving dish (e.g., threadably coupled to the plate 100, orcoupled via a pin/slot assembly where the module twists into the bottomof a plate 100) to heat or cool the plate 100. In this embodiment, whenthe plate 100, bowl or serving dish is to be washed, the heating orcooling module can be decoupled from the plate 100, bowl or serving dishbefore the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is washed (e.g., placed inthe dish washing machine). The heating or cooling module can then beplaced on a corresponding charging station for use at a later time whenit can again be coupled to a plate 100, bowl or serving dish to heat orcool food on the plate 100. The embodiment described above can apply toother forms of dishware (e.g., mug, cup, serving dish).

In another embodiment, the charging base 200 can be excluded and powercan be transmitted to the wireless power receiver 92 via a remote powertransmitter using long-distance wireless energy transmission, as furtherdiscussed below. In this embodiment, where the heated or cooled plate100, bowl or serving dish also does not have energy storage devices,such as the energy storage devices 80, the heating or cooling element 60is electrically connected to the wireless power receiver 92 via thecontrol circuit 94, which is operable to control the amount of powerthat is provided to the heating or cooling element 60. During operation,if the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is out of range of the wirelesspower transmission, the heating or cooling element 60 will lose powerand shut off. For example, in this embodiment if the plate 100, bowl orserving dish is not on a charging base, such as the charging base 200,or out of the range of power transmission from a remote wireless powertransmitter, the heating or cooling element 60 in the plate 100, bowl orserving dish will lose power and shut off.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show one embodiment of a charging stand 300 that can bestored in a cabinet, such as a kitchen cabinet, or on a countertop or ina pantry. The charging stand 300 can have a plurality of charging bases220′, each of which is attached to a rear wall 320 of the charging stand300 by a connecting support 230′. The charging stand 300 can also have apair of arms 310 on either side of the charging base 220′, each arm 310having a surface 312 that can contact at least a portion of the wall 10of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish and helps support the plate 100,bowl or serving dish on the charging base 220′. Each of the chargingbases 220′ can have a wireless power transmitter, such as the wirelesspower transmitter 240, disposed therein, which can transmit power to awireless power receiver in the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl orserving dish that is placed on the charging base 220′. The chargingstand 300 can have a power cord (not shown) to connect the stand to, forexample, a wall outlet, in order to electrically connect the wirelesspower transmitters in the charging bases 220′ with the power source.

In another embodiment, the charging stand 300 can be excluded, and theplates 100 can be stacked on top of each other, with a single chargingbase at the bottom of the stack (e.g., the charging base 200 in FIG. 3)In this embodiment, the electronic module 90 in each plate 100, bowl orserving dish can include a repeater circuit that takes the power comingin from the wireless power receiver 92 (inside the plate 100) and thenenergizes a wireless power transmitter (not shown) which would bemounted just underneath bottom surface 20 b inside the same plate 100.In this embodiment, when another plate is stacked on top of this plate100, the top plate can receive power from the wireless power transmitterwhich is located in the plate 100, bowl or serving dish directly beneathit. In this manner, when a number of plates were stacked on top of eachother, each plate would wirelessly receive power from the plate beneathit, and transmit power to the plate above it. In one embodiment, theenergy storage devices are excluded from the plate 100, bowl or servingdish (or mug 400 or travel mug 600, cup or liquid container discussedbelow), so the wireless power receiver can be electrically connected tothe heating or cooling element. This allows a stack of plates 100 to bepositioned on one stand.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled plate 100′. Theheated or cooled plate 100′, bowl or serving dish is similar to theheated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish and includes the samecomponents and features disclosed for the heated or cooled plate 100,except as noted below. Thus, the reference numerals used to designatethe various components of the heated or cooled plate 100′, bowl orserving dish are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl orserving dish in FIGS. 1-3, except that a “′” has been added to thereference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heated or cooled plate 100′, bowl orserving dish has a heating or cooling element 60′ that includes a tracepattern that is traced or laid onto at least a portion of the topsurface 20 a′ of the base 20′ of the plate 100′. For example, the tracepattern can be screen printed onto the top surface 20 a′ and have aconnecting portion (not shown) that electrically connects the heating orcooling element 60′ to the energy storage devices 80′, wireless powerreceiver 92′, and/or control circuitry 94′. This configuration of aheating or cooling element can also be incorporated into any otherdrinkware, dishware or serverware devices, such as the plate 800, 800′,1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400 and travel mug 600, cup, baby bottle 1500 orliquid container discussed below.

FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled plate 100″. Theheated or cooled plate 100″, bowl or serving dish is similar to theheated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish and includes the samecomponents and features disclosed for the heated or cooled plate 100,except as noted below. Thus, the reference numerals used to designatethe various components of the heated plate 100″, bowl or serving dishare identical to those used for identifying the corresponding componentsof the heated plate 100, bowl or serving dish in FIGS. 1-3, except thata “″” has been added to the reference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 50″ in the heated or cooledplate 100″, bowl or serving dish can be subdivided by the insulativemember 70 into a first cavity 50 a between the bottom portion 40 and theinsulative member 70 and a second cavity 50 b between the insulativemember 70 and the base 20. The energy storage devices 80 and electronicmodule 90 are disposed in the first cavity 50 a. The insulative member70 is positioned against a ledge 10 a defined between the bottom portion40 and the base 20 so that the insulative member 70 is spaced from theheating or cooling element 60, thereby defining the second cavity 50 b.In the illustrated embodiment, the second cavity 50 b is under a vacuum,which advantageously further thermally insulates the energy storagedevices 80 and electronic module 90 from the heating or cooling element60. Additionally, having the second cavity 50 b under a vacuumadvantageously allows the top surface 20 a of the base 20 to maintainits temperature for a longer period of time, as the vacuum in the secondcavity 50 b inhibits heat transfer through the bottom of the plate 100″.In the illustrated embodiment, the heating or cooling element 60 can beelectrically connected to the one or more energy storage devices 80 viaa connector (not shown) that extends between the first and secondcavities 50 a, 50 b (e.g., a trace line printed on the side wall of thefirst and second cavities 50 a, 50 b). This vacuum configuration canalso be incorporated into any other drinkware, dishware or serverwaredevices, such as the plate 800, 800′, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400 andtravel mug 600, cup, baby bottle 1500 or liquid container discussedbelow.

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a heated or cooled mug 400, cup or liquid containerwith a circumferential wall 412 having a side surface 412 a, a handle414 and a base 420 having a top surface 420 a, where the side surface412 a and top surface 420 a define a cavity 418 that can hold a liquidor solid (e.g., coffee, soup, ice cream). The heated or cooled mug 400,cup or liquid container can have a bottom portion 419 that defines arecess 450 between a bottom edge 416 a and the base 420. A bottom member(e.g., plate) 440 can be positioned against a ledge 419 a of the bottomportion 419, so as to define a cavity 450 a between the bottom member440 and the base 420. In the illustrated embodiment, a heating orcooling system 455 can be disposed (e.g., embedded) in the cavity 450 a.The heating or cooling system 455 can include a heating or coolingelement 460, an insulative member 470, one or more energy storagedevices 480 and an electronic module 490, and these components can bearranged and connected in the same manner described above in connectionwith the heated or cooled plate 100. In another embodiment, theinsulative member 470 can be excluded.

The heating or cooling element 460 can be disposed adjacent a bottomsurface 420 b of the base 420 so as to conduct heat through the base 420to a top surface 420 a of the base 420. In one embodiment, the heatingor cooling element 460 can also be disposed within the wall 412 andbehind a side surface 412 of the mug 400, cup or liquid container. Inone embodiment, the heating or cooling element 460 can be a heater wireor heating wire. In another embodiment, the heating or cooling element460 can be a resistive heater. However, in other embodiments, theheating or cooling element 460 can include other suitable mechanisms. Inone embodiment, the heating or cooling system 455 can include a drivetransistor to accommodate heavy switching current flowing from theelectrical energy storage element 480 to one or more low resistanceheating or cooling element 460.

The electronic module 490 can be attached to a top surface 444 of thebottom member 440 and include one or more of a wireless power receiver492, control circuitry 494 (e.g., controller circuit, microcontroller,etc.) and a charger 496 (e.g., charging circuit) for charging the one ormore energy storage devices 480. The electronic module 490 can include aMCU with capacitive sensing and graphic control features. The controlcircuitry 494 can operate to manage the power delivered to the heatingor cooling element 460. The control circuitry 494 can also be used tomanage the charging of the one or more energy storage devices 480. Inone embodiment, the wireless power receiver 492 is electricallyconnected to the battery charger 496, which is electrically connected tothe energy storage devices 480 that in turn are electrically connectedto the heating or cooling element 460. In another embodiment, whereenergy storage devices are excluded (as discussed further below), thewireless power receiver 492 can be electrically connected to the heatingor cooling element 460. In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system455 is completely disposed in the bottom portion 419 so that no part ofthe system 455 is visible (i.e., the mug 400 looks like a conventionalmug). In another embodiment, the heating or cooling system 455 can behoused in a module that is removably attachable to the mug 400.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8-9, the bottom portion 440 can beaxially spaced from the bottom edge 416 a so as to define a recess 416at the bottom of the mug 400, cup or liquid container. A charging base500 for the heated or cooled mug 400, cup or liquid container caninclude a raised portion 520 with a top surface 522, where the raisedportion 520 is sized and shaped to fit at least partially within therecess 416 when the mug 400, cup or liquid container is placed on thecharging base 500, so that a bottom surface 442 of the bottom member 440is adjacent the top surface 522 of the raised portion 520. The chargingbase can include a wireless power transmitter 540 attached to a bottomsurface 524 of the raised portion 520, where the wireless powertransmitter 540 is arranged on the bottom surface 524 so as to generallyalign with the electronic module 490 when the mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer is positioned on the charging base 500 to facilitate wirelesspower transmission between the wireless power transmitter 540 and thewireless power receiver 492 (e.g., via short distance wireless energytransfer, such as inductive coupling, as discussed above). In anotherembodiment, the mug 400, cup or liquid container can have a protrudingportion at its bottom and the charging base 500 can have a correspondingrecessed portion, where the protruding portion fits within the recessedportion when the mug 400, cup or liquid container is coupled to thecharging base 500. The wireless power transmitter 540 can beelectrically connected to a power source (not shown), such as a walloutlet, via a power cord (not shown).

In one embodiment, the bottom member 440 can be removably attached tothe mug 400, cup or liquid container to allow access to the heating orcooling system 455 in the cavity 450 a. For example, the bottom member440 can be mechanically coupled to the mug 400, cup or liquid container(e.g., with screws, a threaded interface between the bottom member 440and mug 400, a press-fit connection). The bottom member 440 can beremoved to allow the replacing of the one or more energy storage devices480 and the servicing of the heating or cooling system 455. In oneembodiment, the bottom member 440 can be a water resistant lid that canbe removably attachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) to the mug 400,cup or liquid container for accessing the heating or cooling system 455.In another embodiment, the bottom member 440 can be a water resistantlid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) tothe mug 400, cup or liquid container for accessing the one or moreenergy storage devices 480. In yet another embodiment, the energystorage devices 480 can be in a pack that is attached (e.g., threaded,snap fit, screwed down) onto the bottom of the mug 400, where the pack'selectrical contacts connect with a set of electrical contacts on thebottom of the mug 400.

In another embodiment, the charging base 500 can be excluded and powercan be transmitted to the wireless power receiver 492 via a remote powertransmitter using long-distance wireless energy transmission, as furtherdiscussed below. In this embodiment, where the heated or cooled mug 400,cup or liquid container also does not have energy storage devices, suchas the energy storage devices 480, the heating or cooling element 460 iselectrically connected to the wireless power receiver 492 via thecontrol circuit 494, which is operable to control the amount of powerthat is provided to the heating or cooling element 460. Duringoperation, if the mug 400, cup or liquid container is out of range ofthe wireless power transmission, the heating or cooling element 460 willlose power and shut off. For example, in this embodiment if the mug 400,cup or liquid container is not on a charging base, such as the chargingbase 500, or out of the range of power transmission from a remotewireless power transmitter, the heating or cooling element 460 in themug 400, cup or liquid container will lose power and shut off.

The one or more energy storage devices 480 can advantageously supplypower to the heating or cooling element 460 for a prolonged period oftime before its power charge diminishes, thereby advantageouslymaintaining the contents of the mug 400, cup or liquid container (e.g.,soup, coffee, ice cream) hot or cold, for a prolonged period of time. Inone embodiment, the energy storage devices 480 can power the heating orcooling element 460 for at least 15 minutes. In another embodiment, theenergy storage devices 480 can power the heating or cooling element 460for between about 30 minutes and about 60 minutes. However, in anotherembodiment, the energy storage devices 480 can power the heating orcooling element 460 for greater than 60 minutes. In another embodiment,the power level, or desired temperature, can be selected by the user(e.g., via a switch) which will extend or shorten the duration of timethat the heating or cooling element 460 will run for, as furtherdiscussed below.

As discussed above, in one embodiment, the heating or cooling system 455is advantageously embedded in the body of the mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer (e.g., embedded in the bottom portion 419 of the mug 400) sothat no portion of the heating or cooling system 455 is exposed or canbe contacted by a user while holding the mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer. Therefore, the mug 400, cup or liquid container canadvantageously be exposed to water or other liquids, e.g., in a sink orin a dishwasher, without exposing the heating or cooling system 455 tosaid water or liquids, thereby inhibiting damage to the heating orcooling system 455. Additionally, by being embedded in the body of themug 460, the mug 460 can be aesthetically pleasing as it looks like aconventional mug.

In another embodiment, the heating or cooling system 455 can be housedin a non-water proof module that can be removably attached to the mug400, cup or liquid container (e.g., threadably coupled to the mug 400,or coupled via a pin/slot assembly where the module twists into thebottom of a mug 400) to heat or cool the mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer. In this embodiment, when the mug 400, cup or liquid containeris to be washed, the heating or cooling module can be decoupled from themug 400, cup or liquid container before the mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer is washed (e.g., placed in the dish washing machine). Theheating or cooling module can then be placed on a corresponding chargingstation for use at a later time when it can again be coupled to a mug400, cup or liquid container to heat or cool the contents of the mug400.

In another embodiment, the mug 400, cup or liquid container can includeone or more corrosion resistant electrical contacts (not shown) on anouter surface of the mug 400, such as the bottom surface 442 of thebottom portion 440 of the mug 400, where the electrical contacts aresized and shaped to contact corresponding electrical contacts (notshown) on the charging base 500 when the mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer is placed on the charging base 500. In one embodiment, theelectrical contacts of the mug 400, cup or liquid container can protrudefrom a surface of the mug 400, such as electrical posts. In anotherembodiment, the electrical contacts of the mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer can be one or more contact pads (not shown) on the bottomsurface 442 of the bottom portion 440 of the mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer that can contact corresponding contact pads (not shown) on thetop surface 522 of the charging base 500. However, the electricalcontacts on the mug 400, cup or liquid container and charging base 500can have other suitable configurations.

FIG. 9A shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled mug 400′, cup orliquid container. The heated or cooled mug 400′, cup or liquid containeris similar to the heated or cooled mug 400, cup or liquid container andincludes the same components and features disclosed for the heated orcooled mug 400, except as noted below. Thus, the reference numerals usedto designate the various components of the heated or cooled mug 400′,cup or liquid container are identical to those used for identifying thecorresponding components of the heated or cooled mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer in FIGS. 8-9, except that a “′” has been added to thereference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heated or cooled mug 400′, cup orliquid container can have a heating or cooling element 460′, which isshown schematically in FIG. 9A. In one embodiment, the heating orcooling element 460′ can be a heater wire or heating wire, such as theheating or cooling element 460 shown in FIGS. 8-9. In anotherembodiment, the heating or cooling element 460′ can be a resistiveheater. However, in other embodiments, the heating or cooling element460′ can include other suitable mechanisms. In one embodiment, theheating or cooling element 460′ can be an active cooling element or apassive cooling element. For example, where the heating or coolingelement 460′ is a passive cooling element, the heating or coolingelement 460′ can include a thermoelectric system with one or morePeltier elements in contact with, or in proximity to, the bottom surface420 b of the base 420. In another embodiment, where the heating orcooling element 460′ is an active cooling element, the heating orcooling element 460′ can include a chilled fluid circulation system withchannels (not shown) disposed in contact with, or in proximity to, thebottom surface 420 b of the base 420. In still another embodiment, theheating or cooling element 460′ can be a FREON® cooling system with anexpansion channel (not shown) inside a bottom portion 419 of the mug400′, cup or liquid container (or other dishware device). However, theheating or cooling element 460′ can include other suitable activecooling arrangements. Though the illustrated embodiment is for a heatedor cooled mug 400′, the heating or cooling element 460′ can beincorporated into any dishware, drinkware or serverware device, such asthe plate 100, bowl or serving dish and travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer (discussed below). In some embodiments, the dishware,drinkware or serverware device can include a heat sink (e.g., one ormore fins) to dissipate heat generated by the heating or coolingelement. In one embodiment, the heat sink can be incorporated into thebody of the dishware, drinkware or serverware device. In anotherembodiment, the heat sink can be removably attached to the dishware,drinkware or serverware device. The heating or cooling element 460′ canbe operated to maintain liquid or solid food in the dishware, drinkwareor serverware device warm or cool (e.g., to raise or lower thetemperature of the receiving portion of the dishware, drinkware orserverware device above or below ambient temperature to maintain thefood warm or cool, such as at a desired temperature or within a desiredtemperature range).

FIGS. 10-12 show one embodiment of a travel mug 600, such as a travelcoffee mug, that incorporates some of the same features described abovewith respect to the mug 400, cup or liquid container. In the illustratedembodiment, the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container has an outercircumferential wall 610, a handle 612 and a bottom portion 640, wherethe bottom portion 640 can, in one embodiment, be removably attached tothe distal end of the outer circumferential wall 610. In the illustratedembodiment, the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container has an innercircumferential wall 620 that extends from a proximal portion 622 to abase 626 and has a distal portion 624 adjacent the base 626. The innercircumferential wall 620 defines a chamber 620 c (e.g., receivingportion) for holding a liquid (e.g., coffee, tea). The travel mug 600,cup or liquid container can be sized to fit in a standard diameter cupholder of an automobile. Additionally, the travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer can have a height that allows the travel mug 600, cup orliquid container to fit in a drawer (e.g., top drawer) of a dishwasherrack, such that the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container can beplaced upside down in the dishwasher for cleaning in a generallyvertical orientation. In one embodiment, the travel mug 600, cup orliquid container can hold about 16 ounces of liquid. However, otherliquid containment sizes can be used.

The inner circumferential wall 620 can attach at its proximal portion622 to a proximal end 612 a of the outer circumferential wall 610. Asshown in FIG. 10, the inner circumferential wall 620 is shaped relativeto the outer circumferential wall 610 so as to define an annular gap 628between the inner circumferential wall 620 and the outer circumferentialwall 610. Additionally, the base 626 of the inner circumferential wall620 is spaced apart from the bottom portion 640 so as to define a cavity630 therebetween, where the cavity 630 is in communication with theannular gap 628. A cover 670 can be removably disposed over the openingO in the inner circumferential wall 620 to substantially seal theopening O.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10-11, the travel mug 600, cup orliquid container can have a heating or cooling system 655 disposed inthe cavity 630. In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system caninclude a heating or cooling element 660, one or more energy storagedevices 680 and an electronic module 690, where these components can bearranged and connected in the same manner described above in connectionwith the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish and heated orcooled mug 400, cup or liquid container. The heating or cooling element660 can be disposed adjacent the distal portion 624 of the innercircumferential wall 620. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating orcooling element 660 can be wrapped around the distal portion 624 and incontact with an outer surface 620 a of the inner circumferential wall620 at the location of the distal portion 624 so as to conduct heatthrough the distal portion 624 of the inner circumferential wall 620 andinto the liquid in the chamber 620 c. In one embodiment, the heating orcooling system 655 can include a drive transistor to accommodate heavyswitching current flowing from the electrical energy storage element 680to one or more low resistance heating or cooling element 660.

The electronic module 690 can be attached to a top surface 644 of thebottom portion 640 and can include one or more of a wireless powerreceiver 692 (e.g., that can receive power from an inductive couplingtransmitter in a charging base or a charging pad), control circuitry 694(e.g., controller circuit, microcontroller, etc.) and a charger 696(e.g., charging circuit) for charging the one or more energy storagedevices 680. The electronic module 690 can include a MCU with capacitivesensing and graphic control features. The control circuitry 694 canoperate to manage the power delivered to the heating or cooling element660. The control circuitry can also be used to manage the charging ofthe one or more energy storage devices 680. In another embodiment, aninsulative member, such as the insulative member 70, 470 discussedabove, can be disposed between the base 626 of the inner circumferentialwall 620 and the electronic module 690 to thermally isolate the heatingor cooling element 660 from the electronic module 690.

In one embodiment, the wireless power receiver 692 is electricallyconnected to the battery charger 696, which is electrically connected tothe energy storage devices 680 that in turn are electrically connectedto the heating or cooling element 660. In another embodiment, whereenergy storage devices 680 are excluded, the wireless power receiver 692can be electrically connected to the heating or cooling element 660. Inone embodiment, the heating or cooling system 655 is completely disposedin the cavity 630 so that no part of the system 655 is visible (i.e.,the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container looks like a conventionaltravel mug).

In one embodiment, the bottom portion 640 can be removably attached tothe travel mug 600, cup or liquid container to allow access to theheating or cooling system 655 in the cavity 630. For example, the bottomportion 640 can be mechanically coupled to the travel mug 600, cup orliquid container (e.g., with screws, a threaded interface between thebottom portion 640 and travel mug 600, a press-fit connection). Thebottom portion 640 can be removed to allow the replacing of the one ormore energy storage devices 680 and the servicing of the heating orcooling system 655. In one embodiment, the bottom portion 640 can be awater resistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded onor screwed) to the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container for accessingthe heating or cooling system 655. In another embodiment, the bottomportion 640 can be a water resistant lid that can be removablyattachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) to the travel mug 600, cup orliquid container for accessing the one or more energy storage devices680. In yet another embodiment, the energy storage devices 680 can be ina pack that is attached (e.g., threaded snap fit, screwed down) onto thebottom or side of the travel mug 600, where the pack's electricalcontacts connect with a set of electrical contacts on the bottom or sideof the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10-12, a charging base 700 for thetravel mug 600, cup or liquid container can include a recessed portion710 with a base 720, where the recessed portion 710 is sized and shapedto at least partially receive the distal portion of the travel mug 600,cup or liquid container therein, so that a bottom surface 642 of thebottom portion 640 is adjacent the base 720 when the travel mug 600, cupor liquid container is placed on the charging base 700. The chargingbase 700 can include a wireless power transmitter (not shown) attachedto a bottom surface of the base 720, in a similar manner as discussedabove in connection with the charging base 200, 500. The wireless powertransmitter is arranged on the bottom surface of the base 720 so as togenerally align with the electronic module 690 when the travel mug 600,cup or liquid container is positioned on the charging base 700 tofacilitate wireless power transmission between the wireless powertransmitter and the wireless power receiver 692 (e.g., via shortdistance wireless energy transfer, such as inductive coupling, asdiscussed above). In another embodiment, the travel mug 600, cup orliquid container can have a recessed portion, and the charging base 700a corresponding protruding portion that can at least partially fitwithin the recessed portion of the travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer when the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container is coupled tothe charging base 700. The wireless power transmitter can beelectrically connected to a power source (not shown), such as a walloutlet, via a power cord (not shown).

In another embodiment, the charging base 700 can be excluded and powercan be transmitted to the wireless power receiver 692 via a remote powertransmitter using long-distance wireless energy transmission, as furtherdiscussed below. In this embodiment, where the travel mug 600, cup orliquid container also does not have energy storage devices, such as theenergy storage devices 680, the heating or cooling element 660 iselectrically connected to the wireless power receiver 692 via thecontrol circuit 694, which is operable to control the amount of powerthat is provided to the heating or cooling element 660. Duringoperation, if the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container is out ofrange of the wireless power transmission, the heating or cooling element660 will lose power and shut off. For example, in this embodiment if themug 600 is not on a charging base, such as the charging base 700, or outof the range of power transmission from a remote wireless powertransmitter, the heating or cooling element 660 in the travel mug 600,cup or liquid container will lose power and shut off. In still anotherembodiment, the travel mug 600, or plate 100, bowl or serving dish ormug 400, cup or liquid container can include one or more energy storagedevices 80, 480, 680 electrically connected to the heating or coolingelement 60, 460, 660 and the electronic module 90, 490, 690 can switchto battery power (e.g., via the control circuit 94, 494, 694) when thetravel mug 600, plate 100, bowl or serving dish or mug 400, cup orliquid container is out of range of power transmission from the remotewireless power transmitter so that the heating or cooling element 60,460, 660 can continue to heat or cool the contents of the travel mug660, plate 100, bowl or serving dish or mug 400, cup or liquid containerfor a period of time.

As with the embodiments discussed above, the heating or cooling element660 can in one embodiment be a heater wire or heating wire. In anotherembodiment, the heating or cooling element 660 can be a resistiveheater. However, in other embodiments, the heating or cooling element660 can include other suitable mechanisms. In one embodiment, theheating or cooling element 660 can be an active cooling element or apassive cooling element. For example, where the heating or coolingelement 660 is a passive cooling element, the heating or cooling element660 can include a thermoelectric system with one or more Peltierelements. In another embodiment, where the heating or cooling element660 is an active cooling element, the heating or cooling element 660 caninclude a chilled fluid circulation system with channels (not shown)disposed in contact with, or in proximity to, the distal portion 624 ofthe inner circumferential wall 620. In still another embodiment, theheating or cooling element 660 can be a FREON® cooling system with anexpansion channel inside the bottom portion of the travel mug 600, cupor liquid container (or other dishware device). However, the heating orcooling element 660 can include other suitable active coolingarrangements.

The one or more energy storage devices 680 can advantageously supplypower to the heating or cooling element 660 for a prolonged period oftime before its power charge diminishes, thereby advantageouslymaintaining the contents of the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container(e.g., coffee, soft drink) hot or cold, for a prolonged period of time(e.g., while a user is commuting to work). In one embodiment, the energystorage devices 680 can power the heating or cooling element 660 for atleast 15 minutes. In another embodiment, the energy storage devices 680can power the heating or cooling element 660 for between about 30minutes and about 60 minutes. However, in another embodiment, the energystorage devices 680 can power the heating or cooling element 660 forgreater than 60 minutes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer includes a user interface 695 that is electrically connectedto the electronic module 690 via one or more electrical lines (notshown). In one embodiment, the electrical lines can include tracepatterns screen printed on an inner surface 610 a of the innercircumferential wall 610 and extend between the user interface 695 andthe electronic module 690. In another embodiment, the electrical linescan include one or more standard electrical wires. The user interface695 can include one or more user selection members 695 a, such asbuttons, which the user can actuate to effect a desired control of theheating or cooling system 655. For example, one of the user selectionmembers 695 a can be used to turn off the heating or cooling element 660(e.g., if the user does not want to continue to heat or cool thecontents of the travel mug 600). In another embodiment, one or more ofthe user selection members 695 a can be used to control the heating orcooling element 660 to provide a desired temperature for the liquid inthe travel mug 600, cup or liquid container. In still anotherembodiment, at least one of the user selection members 695 a can be usedto set a timer for when power to the heating or cooling element 660 isto be turned off. However, the user selection members 695 a can be usedto control other parameters of the operation of the heating or coolingelement 660. For example, the heating or cooling element 660 could havemultiple power settings that can be set with the user selection members695 a. When set to a higher power setting the heating or cooling element660 will run for a shorter period of time before the power storageelement 680 can no longer power the heating or cooling element 660. Whenset to a lower power setting, the heating or cooling element 660 willrun for a longer period of time before the power storage element 680 canno longer power the heating or cooling element 660. In anotherembodiment, the temperature level can be selected by a user via anadjustable thermostat on the user interface 695. The thermostat canadvantageously be adjusted to one of multiple temperature settings bythe user to control the heating or cooling element 660 within the travelmug 660 (or other dishware or drinkware device) in order to maintain itscontents at a specified temperature or within a specified temperaturerange.

As discussed above, in one embodiment, the heating or cooling system 655is advantageously housed in the body of the travel mug 600, cup orliquid container (e.g., housed in the cavity 630) so that no portion ofthe heating or cooling system 655 is exposed or can be contacted by auser while holding the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container.Therefore, the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container canadvantageously be exposed to water or other liquids, e.g., in a sink orin a dishwasher, without exposing the heating or cooling system 655 tosaid water or liquids, thereby inhibiting damage to the heating orcooling system 655. Additionally, by being housed in the body of thetravel mug 660, the travel mug 660 can be aesthetically pleasing as itlooks like a conventional travel mug. In another embodiment, the travelmug 600, cup or liquid container can include one or more electricalcontacts (e.g., electrical posts, contact pads) on an outer surface ofthe mug 600, as discussed above in connection with the mug 400, wherethe electrical contacts are sized and shaped to contact correspondingelectrical contacts (not shown) on the charging base 700 when the travelmug 600, cup or liquid container is placed on the charging base 700.

In another embodiment, the heating or cooling system 655 can be housedin a non-water proof module that can be removably attached to the travelmug 600, cup or liquid container (e.g., threadably coupled to the travelmug 600, or coupled via a pin/slot assembly where the module twists intothe bottom of a travel mug 600) to heat or cool the travel mug 600, cupor liquid container. In this embodiment, when the travel mug 600, cup orliquid container is to be washed, the heating or cooling module can bedecoupled from the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container before thetravel mug 600, cup or liquid container is washed (e.g., placed in thewashing machine). The heating or cooling module can then be placed on acorresponding charging station for use at a later time when it can againbe coupled to a travel mug 600, cup or liquid container to heat or coolfood on the travel mug 600, cup or liquid container.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug 600′,cup or liquid container. The heated or cooled travel mug 600′, cup orliquid container is similar to the heated or cooled travel mug 600, cupor liquid container and includes the same components and featuresdisclosed for the heated or cooled travel mug 600, except as notedbelow. Thus, the reference numerals used to designate the variouscomponents of the heated or cooled travel mug 600′, cup or liquidcontainer are identical to those used for identifying the correspondingcomponents of the heated or cooled travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer in FIGS. 10-12, except that a “′” has been added to thereference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the heated or cooled travel mug 600′, cupor liquid container has a heating or cooling element 660′ that includesa trace pattern that is traced or laid onto at least a portion of theinner surface 620 b′ of the distal portion 624′ of the innercircumferential wall 620′. For example, the trace pattern can be screenprinted onto the inner surface 620 b′ and have a connecting portion (notshown) that electrically connects the heating or cooling element 660′ tothe energy storage devices 680 or wireless power receiver 692. Thisheating or cooling element configuration can also be incorporated intoany other drinkware, dishware or serverware devices, such as the plate100, 100′, 800, 800′, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400, cup, baby bottle 1500or liquid container discussed below.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of a heated or cooled travel mug 600″,cup or liquid container. The heated or cooled travel mug 600″, cup orliquid container is similar to the heated or cooled travel mug 600, cupor liquid container and includes the same components and featuresdisclosed for the heated or cooled travel mug 600, except as notedbelow. Thus, the reference numerals used to designate the variouscomponents of the heated or cooled travel mug 600″, cup or liquidcontainer are identical to those used for identifying the correspondingcomponents of the heated or cooled travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer in FIGS. 10-12, except that a “″” has been added to thereference numerals.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 630″ in the heated or cooledtravel mug 600″, cup or liquid container can be subdivided by a base614″ of the outer cylindrical wall 610″ and an adjacent top wall 616″into a first cavity 630 a″ between the bottom portion 640″ and the topwall 616″ and a second cavity 630 b″ between the base 614″ of the outercylindrical wall 610″ and the annular gap 628″. The energy storagedevices 680 and electronic module 690 are disposed in the first cavity630 a″. In the illustrated embodiment, the second cavity 630 b″ is undera vacuum, which advantageously further thermally insulates the energystorage devices 680 and electronic module 690 from the heating orcooling element 660. Additionally, having the second cavity 630 b″ undera vacuum advantageously allows the inner surface 620 b of the innercircumferential wall 620 to maintain its temperature for a longer periodof time, and therefore maintain the temperature of the liquid in thechamber C for a longer period of time, as the vacuum in the secondcavity 630 b″ inhibits heat transfer through the outer cylindrical wall610″ and base 614″. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating orcooling element 660 can be electrically connected to the one or moreenergy storage devices 680 and the electronic module 690 with aconnector (e.g., one or more wires, or a trace line printed on the sidewall 620 a″, 610 a″ of the inner and outer circumferential walls 610″,620) (not shown) that extends between the first and second cavities 630a″, 630 b″. This vacuum arrangement can also be incorporated into anyother drinkware, dishware or serverware devices, such as the plate 100,100′, 800, 800′, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400, cup, baby bottle 1500 orliquid container discussed below.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 isembedded or housed in the body of the dishware device (e.g., plate 100,mug 400, travel mug 600, etc.). In another embodiment, the heating orcooling system 55, 455, 655 can be housed in a closed water-resistant orwater-proof compartment, such as the cavity 50, 450, 630 disposed in arecess of the dishware device. For example, in one embodiment thecompartment can be disposed in said recess such that a surface of thecompartment is flush with the surrounding surface of the dishwaredevice. In another embodiment, the compartment can protrude from asurface of the dishware device. In one embodiment, the water resistantor water-proof compartment can be removably disposed in said recess ofthe dishware device (e.g., the compartment can be removably attachableto the dishware, drinkware or serverware device). In another embodiment,the water resistant or water-proof compartment can be fixed within saidrecess (e.g., attached to the dishware device within the recess via anadhesive, screws, etc.).

As discussed above, in one embodiment power can be transmittedwirelessly from a wireless power transmitter, such as the powertransmitter 240, 540, to a wireless power receiver, such as the powerreceiver 92, 492, 692, via short-distance wireless energy transfer, suchas inductive coupling. In another embodiment, the wireless powerreceiver 92, 492, 692 of the heated or cooled dishware and drinkware,such as the mug 400, plate 100, bowl or serving dish and travel mug 600,can receive power from a remote transmitter via long-distance wirelessenergy transmission, so that a charging base need not be used totransmit power to the heated or cooled dishware and drinkware.

In one embodiment, the remote transmitter can be disposed on a wall orceiling of a home or restaurant, or can be disposed outside the home orrestaurant. The transmitter can wirelessly transmit power over adistance of a few to several meters to the wireless power receiver 92,492, 692 using resonant inductive coupling. In one embodiment, aninductive coil in the remote transmitter can have a capacitance plateattached to each end of the coil wire. As electricity travels throughthe coil, the coil can resonate with a resonant frequency that is aproduct of the inductance of the coil and the capacitance of the plates.The wireless power receiver, such as the wireless power receiver 92,492, 692, can have a similar inductive coil with the same resonantfrequency as the inductive coil in the remote transmitter, so thatenergy can be transmitted from the transmitter to the wireless powerreceiver 92, 492, 692. Accordingly, the heated or cooled dishware ordrinkware, such as the mug 400, plate 100, bowl or serving dish andtravel mug 600, cup or liquid container can be powered wirelesslywithout the use of a charging base.

In use, a user can charge the one or more energy storage devices, suchas the energy storage devices 80, 480, 680, via the charging base and/orthe remote transmitter. Once charged, the dishware or drinkware can beheated or cooled via the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 thereofto maintain food or liquids therein warm or chilled, as the case may be,for a prolonged period of time. Additionally, since the heating orcooling system 55, 455, 655 is disposed (e.g., embedded) in the body ofthe dishware or drinkware, such as the mug 400, plate 100, bowl orserving dish or travel mug 600, the dishware and drinkware can beexposed to water (e.g., in a sink or dishwasher) while inhibiting damageto the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655. In another embodiment, asdiscussed above, the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 can behoused in a closed water resistant or water-proof compartment, wheresaid compartment is fixed or removably attachable to the dishware device(e.g., mug 400, plate 100, etc.).

In one embodiment, the dishware or drinkware device (e.g., plate 100,bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container)can include an orientation sensor (e.g., gyro) that senses theorientation of the dishware or drinkware device, and communicates withthe electronic module 90, 490, 690 to control the operation of thedishware or drinkware device. For example, the gyro can sense when theplate 100, bowl or serving dish has been turned on its side or when themug 400, cup or liquid container or travel mug 600 have been turnedupside down (e.g., when loading into a dishwasher) and communicates asignal to the electronic module 90, 490, 690 to discontinue power to theheating or cooling element 60, 460, 660, thereby turning the heating orcooling element off. However, other suitable devices (e.g., sensors)other than a gyro can be used to sense the orientation of the dishware,drinkware or serverware device, such as the plate 100, mug 400, cup orliquid container or travel mug 600. In another embodiment, the dishwareor drinkware device (e.g. plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travelmug 600, cup or liquid container) can have one or more accelerometersensors which can sense changes in velocity or changes in motion or inorientation of the dishware or drinkware.

In one embodiment, the orientation (or tilt) sensor can sense when theplate 100, bowl or serving dish is tilted more than a certainpredetermined amount (e.g., more than 45°) from the horizontal axis, andthe electronic module 90 turns off power to the heating or coolingsystem 55 (e.g., to the heating or cooling element 60) and disables userinterface buttons (discussed further below) on the plate 100, bowl orserving dish. The plate 100, bowl or serving dish can then be insertedinto a dishwasher for cleaning. The user interface buttons can beenabled once the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is placed back on thecharging station, such as the charging stand 300.

In another embodiment, the orientation (or tilt) sensor can sense whenthe mug 400, cup or liquid container or travel mug 600 (or cup or liquidcontainer) is tilted by more than a certain predetermined amount (e.g.,more than 135°) from the upright vertical axis, and the electronicmodule 490, 690 turns off power to the heating or cooling system 455,655 (e.g., to the heating or cooling element 460, 660) and disables userinterface buttons and sensors (such as liquid sensors or liquid levelsensors, discussed further below) on the mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer or travel mug 600 (or cup or liquid container). The mug 400,cup or liquid container or travel mug 600 can then be inserted into adishwasher for cleaning. The user interface buttons can be enabled oncethe mug 400, cup or liquid container or travel mug 600 (or cup or liquidcontainer) is returned to a right side up orientation, and the mug 400,cup or liquid container or travel mug 600 (or cup or liquid container)can again be operated by selecting the “on” button thereon, or byplacing the mug 400, cup or liquid container or travel mug 600 (or cupor liquid container) back on its associated charging stand 500, 700 andthereafter removing it, which resets the operation of the electronicmodule 490, 690.

Though the orientation or tilt sensor feature disclosed above may bedescribed in connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, oneof skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, andthe scope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover suchliquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Automatic Shut-Off

In one embodiment, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 of the plate 100,mug 400 or travel mug 600 (or bowl, serving dish, cup, or liquidcontainer) can automatically turn off power to the heating or coolingelement 60, 460, 660 (e.g., via the control circuitry 94, 494, 694),when a predetermined level of the one or more electrical energy storagedevices 80, 480, 680 (e.g., batteries) is detected. For example, if thecharge or electrical energy storage level of the one or more electricalenergy storage devices 80, 480, 680 is below a predetermined percentageof an amount corresponding to a full charge, the electronic module 90,490, 690 can shut-off power to the heating or cooling element 60, 460,960 to inhibit damage to the electrical energy storage devices 80, 480,680 or other components of the plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600 (orbowl, serving dish, cup or liquid container). In one embodiment, thepredetermined power level of the electrical energy storage devices 80,460, 660 below which power to the heating or cooling element(s) 60, 460,660 is shut off can be about 30%. However, in other embodiments, thepredetermined charge level can be higher or lower than this value (e.g.,20%).

Though the automatic shut-off feature disclosed above may be describedin connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skillin the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup, bottle, baby bottle and/or liquid container), includingthe plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beermug 1600, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200,tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

Timed Shut-Off

In another embodiment, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 of the plate100, mug 400 or travel mug 600 (or bowl, serving dish or liquidcontainer) can automatically turn off power to the heating or coolingelement 60, 460, 660 (e.g., via the control circuitry 94, 494, 694)after a predetermined period of time during which the heating or coolingelement 60, 460, 660 has been operating (e.g., continuously operating orintermittently operating). For example, in one embodiment, thepredetermined period of time can be 3 hours. In another embodiment, thepredetermined period of time can be 20 minutes. In still anotherembodiment, the predetermined period of time can be 5 hours. However,the predetermined period of time can be higher or lower than this.

Though the timed shut-off feature disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill inthe art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scopeof disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Operation Based on Food Detection

In one embodiment, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can have a haveone or more sensors (such as sensors 820A-820D in FIG. 16) that sensewhen food has been placed on the plate, bowl or serving dish and sends asignal to the electronic module 90 (e.g., sends a signal to thecontroller circuit 94) to control the operation of the heating orcooling element 60 based at least in part on the signal. For example,the electronic module 90 can turn on the heating or cooling element 60upon receiving the signal that food has been placed on the plate 100,bowl or serving dish. In one embodiment, the sensor can be a weightsensor. In one embodiment, the sensor can be a pressure sensor. In oneembodiment, the sensor can be a liquid sensor. In one embodiment, thesensor can be a proximity sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor can bean optical sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor can be a near fieldsensor. In one embodiment, the sensor can sense a change in resonantfrequency when food is placed on the plate, bowl or serving dish. Forexample, a component of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can transmitor broadcast a signal at a standard frequency and the sensor can sense achange or shift in the frequency of the signal (e.g., ultrasound typedetection). In one embodiment, the frequency can be above or below aninductive coupling frequency (e.g., above or below about 100-120 kHz).For example, in one embodiment, the broadcast frequency of the signalcan be about 40-50 kHz. In an embodiment where the sensor is an opticalsensor, the plate 100, bowl or serving dish can act as an optical filterand the optical signal can be transmitted through the plate, bowl orserving dish. In such an embodiment, the sensor would sense a modulatedsignal, relative to the set optical signal, which would indicate thepresence of food on the plate 100. In another embodiment, the sensorcould be a temperature sensor (such as sensors 820A-820D in FIG. 16),which could detect a change in temperature (due to placement of food onthe plate 100, bowl or serving dish), to thereby sense the presence offood on the plate 100, bowl or serving dish. Any combination of theabove sensing techniques can be used to enhance the food detectioncapabilities of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish.

Similarly, the mug 400 or travel mug 600 (or cup or liquid container)can have a sensor, or combination of sensors such as the sensorsdiscussed above, to sense when liquid is present within the mug 400 ortravel mug 600, cup or liquid container. In one embodiment, when the mug400 or travel mug 600 is removed from its associated charging station500, 700 or inductive coupling power pad, the electronic module 490, 690can place the mug 400 and travel mug 600 in standby mode and activatethe liquid sensor. In one embodiment, the liquid sensor can be locatedat a bottom inner surface of the mug 400 or travel mug 600, or at adistance from the bottom surface of the mug 400 or travel mug 600 (e.g.,at ½ inch or 1 inch from the bottom along the inner side surface, thoughother locations are possible). Once liquid is poured into the mug 400 ortravel mug 600, the liquid sensor can sense the liquid (e.g., viasensing of a change in temperature, weight, pressure, electricalconductivity, electrical continuity, electrical resistance between twoconductors, change in frequency detection, optical sensor, or anycombination of sensors above) and turn on the heating or cooling system455, 655 (e.g., after liquid has been sensed for a predetermined periodof time, such as 2 seconds, or substantially instantaneously if desired,such as within less than 0.1 sec or 0.1 msec of sensing. In oneembodiment, the mug 400 or travel mug 600 can have a visual indicator orscreen (e.g., digital screen) that can be activated upon turning on ofthe heating or cooling system 455, 655 (e.g., illustrating anilluminated logo, or temperature mode, or displaying the temperature ofthe liquid, etc.). In another embodiment, the visual indicator can be anilluminated logo or icon or can be a simple indicator light which tellsthe user that the heating or cooling system 455, 655 has been activated.Once on, the mug 400 or travel mug 600 can operate the heating orcooling element 460, 660 at a predetermined user selected temperature(e.g., the temperature selected by the user the last time the mug 400 ortravel mug 600 was used, or a new temperature that the user hasselected). The user can change the power level setting or temperaturesetting via one or more buttons (e.g., soft touch, touch switch, dial,push-button, touch pad, etc.) on a user interface of the mug 400 ortravel mug 600, cup or liquid container. In another embodiment, thepower level or temperature setting can be adjusted using a dial, aswitch, a gesture sensor, or any other type of user-interface mechanismin communication with the electronic module 490, 690. In one embodiment,the user-interface display on the mug 400 or travel mug 600 can warn auser if the liquid within the mug 400 or travel mug 600 is too hot toconsume or is above or below a predetermined temperature (e.g., theuser's preferred or selected temperature).

The heating or cooling system 455 or 655 of the mug 400 or travel mug600 can be configured to turn off once the liquid sensor (or combinationof sensors) senses that the liquid inside the mug 400 or travel mug 600has been depleted to a predetermined level or depleted completely. Onceliquid is again poured into the mug 400 or travel mug 600 so that thesensor (or combination of sensors) senses the poured liquid, the mug 400or travel mug 600 can again be operated as described above.

Additionally, the mug 400 or travel mug 600 can have one or more liquidlevel sensors for detecting a liquid level in the mug 400 or travel mug600, cup or liquid container. The one or more liquid level sensors canbe of the type discussed above (e.g., sensing a change in temperature,weight, pressure, electrical conductivity, electrical continuity,electrical resistance between two conductors, frequency detection suchas ultrasound frequency detection, change in frequency, optical sensor,or any combination above) and can communicate sensed information to theelectronic module 490, 690, which can transmit information to one ormore indicators (e.g., visual indicators or audible indicator, such as asound, or a vibration) on the mug 400 or travel mug 600 to indicate tothe user the amount of liquid left in the mug 400 or travel mug 600, cupor liquid container (or that the liquid in the cup, mug, or travel mugis at, above, or below, the user preferred drinking temperature). In oneembodiment, the liquid level sensor can be used in combination with theorientation sensor (e.g. gyro) so that the liquid level within the mug400 or travel mug 600 will only be taken when the mug 400 or travel mug600 is in the upright position. This technique would advantageouslyavoid the improper reading of the liquid level when the user tilts themug off of vertical axis to take a drink. In one embodiment, the one ormore liquid level sensors can communicate signals to the electronicmodule 490, 690, allowing the electronic module 490, 690 to determine ifthe mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container has been tilted.Accordingly, the one or more liquid level sensors can operate asorientation sensors to sense an orientation of the mug 400, travel mug600, cup, or liquid container.

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400 or liquid container (such as beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500) canhave one or more liquid level sensors (e.g. ultrasound sensors, asdiscussed above). In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid container (such as beer mug 1600, babybottle 1500) can have a plurality of liquid level sensors (e.g.,disposed at various vertical locations of the sidewall, such as sidewallSW in FIG. 34A). In one embodiment, the one or more liquid level sensorscan communicate liquid level information to the electronic module (suchas electronic module EM, see FIG. 44), and the electronic module canoperate the one or more heating or cooling elements (e.g., see HC inFIG. 44) based at least in part on said sensed level information. Forexample, in one embodiment the electronic module could turn on, turn offor adjust power to at least one of the one or more heating or coolingelements based at least in part on said sensed level information.

In one embodiment, where the one or more heating or cooling elements arearranged vertically on a sidewall (e.g., a panel embedded in thesidewall) of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400or liquid container (such as beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500), asdiscussed further below, the electronic module can turn off each of theheating or cooling elements as the liquid level drops below the verticallocation of said heating or cooling element (see FIGS. 34A-34C). Thiscan advantageously allow the efficient operation of the heating orcooling elements, as they are not operated once the liquid level hasdropped below the location of the heating or cooling element.

In one embodiment, the liquid level sensing of a cup, mug, travel mug,baby bottle, beer mug, carafe or liquid container can be achievedthrough sensed electrical characteristics of the heating or coolingelements (e.g. when a heating or cooling element is submerged beneath aliquid level, or alternatively, exposed above a liquid level, thecontrol circuitry can be configured to recognize the difference in theelectrical characteristics of the heating or cooling element in order todetermine if a heating or cooling element is below or above a liquidlevel). In this embodiment, the heating or cooling elements can be usedto determine a general liquid level within the cup, mug, travel mug,baby bottle, beer mug, carafe or liquid container. This method ofsensing is also advantageous for sensing if the liquid is near or notnear a heating or cooling element (e.g. if the user places his or hercup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe or liquid containeron its side, or partially on its side, the control circuitry can sensethat the liquid is not in thermal contact with said heating or coolingelement, and can turn off or reduce power to said heating or coolingelement).

Though operation based on sensing the presence of food (solid or liquid)disclosed above may be described in connection with a plate 100, mug 400or travel mug 600, one of skill in the art will recognize that it canalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and theinvention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Power Level Adjustment to Heating/Cooling Element Based on Food HeatAbsorption

In one embodiment, the plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600 (or bowl,serving dish, cup, or liquid container) can have a temperature sensor(such as the sensors 820A-820D in FIG. 16) in communication with theelectronic module 90, 490, 690 (e.g., in communication with the controlcircuitry 94, 494, 694). The temperature sensor can sense a temperatureof food placed on the plate 100, bowl or serving dish or sense atemperature of a liquid poured into the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup orliquid container. The temperature sensor can be an infrared sensor, athermistor, thermocouple, a diode type sensor, a resistance temperaturedetector (RTD) sensor or any other suitable type of temperature sensor.

With respect to the plate 100, bowl or serving dish, the sensor (such assensors 820A-820D of plate 800 in FIG. 16) can sense the temperature ofthe food placed on the plate 100, bowl or serving dish and communicatethe sensed temperature to the electronic module 90, which can thenmodulate power to the heating or cooling element 60 to vary (e.g.increase or decrease) the amount of energy provided by the heating orcooling element 60 to the plate, bowl or serving dish based on thedifference between the sensed temperature and a user selectedtemperature setpoint for the plate 100, bowl or serving dish. In oneembodiment, if when placed on the plate, bowl or serving dish the foodis above the user selected temperature setpoint, the electronic module90 can control the heating or cooling element 60 to not activate (or toshut-off if the heating or cooling element 60 has been in operation).This can advantageously extend the working time of the one or moreelectrical energy storage devices 80 (e.g., between charging events),which can allow the heating or cooling system 55 to have a longerworking time (e.g., between charging events of the one or moreelectrical energy storage devices 80). In another embodiment, theelectronic module 90 can control the operation of the heating or coolingelement 60 to actively decrease or increase the temperature of the foodtoward the user selected temperature setpoint. As the temperature of thefood on the plate 100, bowl or serving dish decreases or increases, theelectronic module 90 can control the operation of the heating or coolingelement 60 (e.g., adjust the power level up or down to increase ordecrease the amount of energy provided by the heating or cooling element60) based at least in part on feedback to the electronic module 90 fromthe food temperature sensor to provide energy to the food to maintainthe temperature of the food at the user selected temperature setpoint,or within a given temperature range about the user selected temperaturesetpoint. In one embodiment, the temperature sensor can be located onthe food-receiving surface of the plate 100, bowl or serving dishgenerally at the center, or multiple sensors can be spread out acrossthe food-receiving surface of the plate, bowl or serving dish so that anaverage temperature can be used (e.g., sensors 820A-820D on surface S ofplate 800 in FIG. 16, or sensors 920 on surface S of plate 900 in FIG.18). In another embodiment, discussed further below, where the plate100, bowl or serving dish has a plurality of heating or cooling elements60 (e.g., heating or cooling elements 860A-D in FIG. 16, or heating orcooling elements 960 in FIG. 18) that provide energy to differentsections (e.g., quadrants) of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish, aplurality of temperature sensors can be provided, each temperaturesensor associated with one of said different sections of the plate 100,bowl or serving dish. In still another embodiment, the temperaturesensor can be located so that it is in communication with the foodreceiving surface of the plate 100, bowl or serving dish even if thesensor is not located on the food receiving surface (e.g., the sensorcan be located on an underside of the heated portion of the plate 100,bowl or serving dish).

With respect to the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container,the sensor can sense the temperature of the liquid poured into the mug400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container, and communicate the sensedtemperature to the electronic module 490, 690, which can then modulatepower to the heating or cooling element 460, 660 to vary (e.g. increaseor decrease) the amount of energy provided by the heating or coolingelement 460, 660 to the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid containerbased on the difference between the sensed temperature and a userselected temperature setpoint for the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup orliquid container. In one embodiment, if when poured into the mug 400,travel mug 600, cup or liquid container the liquid (e.g., coffee, tea)is above the user selected temperature setpoint, the electronic module490, 690 can control the heating element 460, 660 to not activate (or toshut-off if the heating element 460, 660 has been in operation). Thiscan advantageously extend the working time of the one or more electricalenergy storage devices 480, 680 (e.g., between charging events), whichcan allow the heating or cooling system 455, 655 to have a longerworking time (e.g., between charging events of the one or moreelectrical energy storage devices 480, 680).

In another embodiment, the electronic module 490, 690 can control theoperation of the heating or cooling element 460, 660 to activelydecrease the temperature of the liquid toward the user selectedtemperature setpoint. As the temperature of the liquid in the mug 400,travel mug 600, cup or liquid container decreases, the electronic module490, 690 can control the operation of the heating or cooling element460, 660 (e.g., adjust the power level up or down to increase ordecrease the amount of energy provided by the heating or cooling element460, 660) based at least in part on feedback to the electronic module490, 690 from liquid temperature sensor to provide energy to the liquidto maintain the temperature of the liquid at the user selectedtemperature setpoint, or within a given temperature range about the userselected temperature setpoint. In one embodiment, the temperature sensorcan be located on the liquid-receiving surface of the mug 400, travelmug 600, cup or liquid container. For example, in one embodiment, thetemperature sensor can be provided on an inner side surface of the mug400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container a certain distance (e.g.,one inch, or other distance) from a bottom surface. In anotherembodiment, the temperature sensor can be provided on the bottom surfaceof the liquid-receiving portion of the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup orliquid container. In still another embodiment, the temperature sensorcan be located so that it is in communication with the liquid receivingsurface of the mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container, even ifthe sensor is not located on the inner surface (e.g., sensor could belocated beneath the surface or integrated into the surface) of the mug400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container.

Though power level adjustment to the heating or cooling element 60, 460,660 based on heat absorption of the food item (solid or liquid)disclosed above may be described in connection with a plate 100, mug 400or travel mug 600, one of skill in the art will recognize that it canalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and theinvention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Thermal Protector Switch

In one embodiment, the plate 100 (or bowl or serving dish), mug 400 andtravel mug 600 (or cup, or liquid container) can have a thermalprotection switch (e.g., as part of the controller circuit 94, 494,694). In use, if the temperature of the heating or cooling system 55,455, 655 (e.g., the temperature of the heating or cooling element 60,460, 660) of the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600,cup or liquid container rises above a predetermined temperature (e.g., apredetermined high temperature limit), the thermal protection switchwill open a circuit that electrically connects the electronic module 90,490, 690 and the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660, so that theheating or cooling element will turn off.

Though the thermal protection switch (or circuit) disclosed above may bedescribed in connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, oneof skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, travel mug1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, andthe scope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover suchliquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Battery Maintenance

In one embodiment, where the one or more electrical energy storagedevices 80, 480, 680 are batteries, the plate 100, bowl, serving dish,mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container can have smart batteryfunctions to maximize the life of the one or more batteries 80, 480,680. For example, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 can operate theheating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 so that the one or more batteries80, 480, 680 are drained at certain intervals. In one embodiment, theelectronic module 90, 490, 690 (e.g., charging circuit 96, 496, 696) canmonitor cell balancing of the one or more batteries 80, 480, 680 duringoperation, as well as the discharge rate of the one or more batteries80, 480, 680. The charging circuit 96, 496, 696 can also monitor the oneor more batteries 80, 480, 680 to determine if they are all giving upenergy generally equally, as well as that the battery level is notunsafe.

Additionally, the charging circuit 96, 496, 696 can control the chargingoperation of the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600,cup or liquid container to ensure the one or more batteries 80, 480, 680are not overcharged and can discontinue the charging process oncebattery charge reaches full capacity. In another embodiment, if a plate100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer has been sitting on the charging station for a while withoutuse and the battery level has decreased over time, the charging circuit96, 496, 696 can sense this drop off in battery level and allow the oneor more batteries 80, 480, 680 to be charged to reach a predeterminedfull charge level. The charging circuit 96, 496, 696 can also sense adischarge rate for the one or more batteries 80, 480, 680. If thedischarge rate exceeds a rate that is acceptable or will cause long-termdamage to the one or more batteries 80, 480, 680, the electronic module90, 490, 690 can provide a visual indication, audible indication, and/orreduce power to the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660.

Though smart battery functions (e.g., maintenance) disclosed above maybe described in connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600,one of skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to anyliquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, servingdish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600,travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Isolated Heating Areas

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of a plate 800, bowl or serving dish.The plate 800, bowl or serving dish is similar to the plate 100, 100′described above and includes the same components (with the samenumerical identifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′,except as noted below.

In one embodiment, the plate 800, bowl or serving dish can have aplurality of heating or cooling elements 860A-860D, each of the heatingor cooling elements 860A-860D associated with a particular section(e.g., quadrant, half, or other fraction) 810A-810D of the plate 800,bowl or serving dish (e.g., a section of a flat portion of the platewhere food is placed), isolated from each other, and being operated bythe electronic module 90 independently of the other heating or coolingelements 860A-860D based on input from the user (e.g., via a userinterface on the plate 800, bowl or serving dish, discussed furtherbelow). For example, the plurality of heating or cooling elements860A-860D could be arranged in a grid, where each of the heating orcooling elements 860A-860D can heat a section of the plate 800, bowl orserving dish associated with that portion of the grid. For example, theuser could turn on and off the heating or cooling element 860A-860D in aparticular area (e.g., quadrant) of the plate 800, bowl or serving dishvia a user interface, such as the user interface 830 of plate 800′ inFIG. 17. The plate 800′ is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800 describedabove and includes the same components (with the same numericalidentifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′, 800, exceptas noted below. In one embodiment, the plate 800, 800′, bowl or servingdish could provide a visual indicator 830 of which sections (e.g.,quadrants) of the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dish have the heatingor cooling element 860A-860D turned on or off (or in cooling mode versusheating mode), described further below. Said visual indication could beprovided (e.g., on a rim or edge of the plate 800, 800′, bowl or servingdish, as shown in FIG. 17) via one or more light sources or visualindicators (e.g., electroluminescence, OLEDs, or any other type of flatlight emitter or slide light emitter, or edge lighting or a digitalscreen) in communication with the electronic module 90. In anotherembodiment, the sections of the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dishthat are being actively heated or cooled could be illuminated using oneor more light sources, such as those described above.

In one embodiment, one section 810A-810D of the plate 800, 800′, bowl orserving dish can have its associated heating or cooling element860A-860D turned on to heat the section of the plate 800, 800′, bowl orserving dish (e.g., where the section receives a hot food item, such assteak), and another section 810A-810D (e.g., quadrant, half) of theplate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dish could have its associated heatingor cooling element 860A-860D turned off where the section of the plate800, 800′, bowl or serving dish receives a cold food item, such assalad). As discussed above, the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dishcan have a plurality of temperature sensors 820A-820D for sensing atemperature of food placed on the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dish,where each (or a plurality) of the temperature sensors 820A-820D isassociated with one of said sections 810A-810D of the plate 800, 800′,bowl or serving dish. The temperature sensor 820A-820D can communicatethe sensed temperature to the electronic module 90 (e.g., to the controlcircuitry 94), and the electronic module 90 can determine whether a hot(e.g., steak) or cold (e.g., salad) food item is placed on theparticular section of the plate 800, 800′, bowl or serving dish based atleast in part on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor820A-820D in that section 810A-810D. The electronic module 90 can turnon the heating element 860A-860D associated with that section 810A-810Dif a hot food item has been placed thereon, or keep the heating element860A-860D off if a cold food item has been placed thereon. In anotherembodiment, the electronic module 90 can control at least one operatingparameter of the heating or cooling system 55 (e.g., of the one or moreheating or cooling elements 860A-860D) of the one or more plates 800,800′, bowl or serving dishes based at least in part on an average ofsensed temperature information from the plurality of temperature sensors820A-820D. For example, the one or more temperature sensors 820A-820Dassociated with a particular section 810A-810D of the plate 800, 800′,bowl or serving dish can communicate temperature information to theelectronic module 90, the control circuitry 94 can average the sensedtemperatures, and the electronic module can control operation of theheating or cooling element 860A-860D based at least in part on theaverage of the sensed temperatures (e.g., increase power to the heatingor cooling element 860A-860D if the average temperature is below theuser selected temperature setpoint or a range about said setpoint,maintain the same power to the heating or cooling element 860A-860D ifthe average temperature is within said range about the user selectedtemperature setpoint, or maintain power to the heating or coolingelement 860A-860D off if the average temperature is above said rangeabout the user selected temperature setpoint).

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of a plate 900, bowl or serving dish.The plate 900 is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′ describedabove and includes the same components (with the same numericalidentifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,except as noted below.

In one embodiment, the plate 900, bowl or serving dish can have aplurality of heating or cooling elements 960 that can be a plurality ofthermoelectric elements (e.g., Peltier elements), where each of thethermoelectric elements 960 is associated with a different section 910(e.g., quadrant, half, other fraction) of the plate 900, bowl or servingdish. The electronic module 90 can control power delivery to each of thethermoelectric elements 960, and the polarity to the thermoelectricelement to control whether the thermoelectric element 960 (e.g., Peltierelement) operates as a heating device or as a cooling device to heat orcool the particular section 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dishassociated with the thermoelectric element 960. As discussed above, eachof the sections 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dish can have aseparate temperature sensor 920 for sensing the temperature of the foodplaced on that section 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dish. Thetemperature information can be communicated to the electronic module 90,which can then operate the thermoelectric elements 960 to heat or coolthe particular section 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dish basedat least in part on the sensed temperature information. For example, ifa hot food item (e.g., steak) is placed on one or more sections 910 ofthe plate 900, bowl or serving dish, the electronic module 90 cancontrol the operation of the thermoelectric element 960 associated withthe one or more sections 910 to operate as a heating element to heat theone or more sections 910 of the plate 900, bowl or serving dish tomaintain the hot food item at a certain temperature (or within a rangeof a user selected temperature). Additionally, if a cold food item(e.g., salad) is placed on another section 910 of the plate 900, bowl orserving dish, the electronic module 90 can control the operation of theelectronic element 960 associated with that section 910 to operate as acooling element to cool the section 910 of the plate 900, bowl orserving dish to maintain the cold food item at a certain temperature(e.g., the initial sensed temperature of the cold food item). In anotherembodiment, a Peltier type cooling system can be used in combinationwith a heating system (e.g. one or more heating elements) so that all ora portion of the plate can be either heated or cooled. In anotherembodiment, the plurality of heating or cooling elements can be heatingelements.

Though the isolated heating areas disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 800, 800′, 900, one of skill in the art willrecognize that it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup, mug400, travel mug 600 and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600,travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, and/or liquid container can haveone or more heating or cooling elements (e.g., Peltier elements, heaterwire, etc.) HC, as discussed above, such as a plurality of heating orcooling elements HC. The one or more heating or cooling elements HC(e.g., multiple heating or cooling elements HC) can be arranged along oraround a side wall SW (e.g., incorporated into the side wall) of thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, and/or liquid container, as shown in FIGS. 34A-34C. Inone embodiment, the one or more heating or cooling elements HC can bearranged along or around a sidewall at two or more locations (e.g., havemultiple heating or cooling elements on two opposite sides, or wrappingaround the circumference) of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container.

In one embodiment, as discussed above, the one or more heating orcooling elements HC (e.g., a plurality of heating or cooling elementsHC) can be operated independently of each other (e.g., each of theheating or cooling elements, such as Peltier elements, can be operatedto heat or cool depending on the selected mode of operation).

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container can have aplurality of thermoelectric elements along a side wall SW (such as shownin FIGS. 34A-34C). Control circuitry can be used to turn on or off theplurality of thermoelectric elements all together or independently. Thecontrol circuitry can also reverse the polarity to the thermoelectricelements all together or independently, so that the thermoelectricelements can be used to actively heat or actively cool the liquid withinthe cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container depending on the polarity ofthe power that is delivered to said thermoelectric elements.

In one embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container can have onethermoelectric element along a side wall SW. Control circuitry can beused to turn on or off the thermoelectric element. The control circuitrycan also reverse the polarity to the thermoelectric element, so that thethermoelectric element can be used to actively heat or actively cool theliquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container depending on thepolarity of the power that is delivered to the said thermoelectricelement.

In another embodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container canhave one or more thermoelectric elements which can be used to activelycool the liquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container, andone or more heating elements (e.g. heater wire) which can be used toactively heat the liquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling elements HC can be operated(e.g., by the electronic module, such as the electronic module 690,2090, 2190 disclosed herein) to induce, promote, facilitate or generatea circulation of liquid flow C (i.e. convection currents) within thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, or liquid container, so as to facilitate a more uniform(e.g., even, constant) temperature across the volume of liquid. Forexample, the heating or cooling elements HC can be selectively operatedto induce a counterclockwise flow C (i.e. convection current), as shownin FIG. 34A. In another embodiment, the heating or cooling elements HCcan be selectively operated to induce a clockwise flow C (i.e.convection current), as shown in FIG. 34B. Advantageously, thecirculation of liquid flow C or “waterfall effect”, where liquidcirculates between the upper portion and the lower portion of the cup,mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid container(e.g., beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500) can cause natural convectionheat transfer within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400 or liquid container to thereby allow for more uniform heatingor cooling of the liquid in the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid container. In one embodiment, saidcirculation of the liquid advantageously results in the liquid in thebottom portion and the liquid in the top portion of the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid container havingsubstantially the same temperature (e.g., differ in temperature by lessthan 15 degrees F., differ in temperature by less than 10 degrees F.,differ in temperature by less than 5 degrees F., differ in temperatureby less than 3 degrees F., differ in temperature by less than 1 deg. F.)such that the liquid in the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400 or liquid container has a substantially uniform temperature.

In one embodiment, the circulation effect can be induced, promoted,facilitated or generated simply by the strategic location of the heatingor cooling element HC, or a plurality of heating or cooling elements HC.For example, in one embodiment, to actively cool the liquid within thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,beer mug 1600, or liquid container, one or more cooling elements can beused (e.g. thermoelectric element), and can be located near a top levelof the container, so that the liquid that is cooled by the one or morecooling elements HC begins to drop which displaces the warmer liquidthat was at the bottom, which causes that warmer liquid to then rise,and the cycle repeats, which advantageously establishes a uniform liquidtemperature within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container. In anotherexample, in yet another embodiment, to actively cool the liquid withinthe cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container, one or more cooling elementsHC can be used (e.g. thermoelectric element), and can be located along aside wall of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container, so that the liquidthat is cooled by the one or more cooling elements HC begins to dropalong the side wall which displaces the warmer liquid that was at thebottom, which causes that warmer liquid to then rise, and the cyclerepeats, which advantageously establishes a uniform liquid temperaturewithin the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container. In yet another example,to actively heat the liquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquidcontainer, one or more heating elements HC can be used (e.g.thermoelectric element, heater wire, etc.), and can be located near abase of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container, so that the liquid thatis heated by the one or more heating elements HC begins to rise to thetop which displaces the cooler liquid that was at the top, which causesthat cooler liquid to then fall, and the cycle repeats, whichadvantageously establishes a uniform liquid temperature within the cup,mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beermug 1600, or liquid container. In yet another example, to actively heatthe liquid within the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container, one or moreheating elements HC can be used (e.g. thermoelectric element, heaterwire, etc.), and can be located along a side wall or around a side wall,near the bottom portion of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container,so that the liquid that is heated by the one or more heating elementsbegins to rise to the top which displaces the cooler liquid that was atthe top, which causes that cooler liquid to then fall, and the cyclerepeats, which advantageously establishes a uniform liquid temperaturewithin the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container.

In one embodiment, the circulation effect can be induced, promoted,facilitated or generated by operating one or more of a plurality ofheating or cooling elements HC. For example, in one embodiment, thecirculation C can be induced, promoted, facilitated or generated byoperating one of the plurality of heating or cooling elements HC (e.g.,located in the top portion of the cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle,beer mug, or liquid container). In another embodiment, the circulationcan be induced, promoted, facilitated or generated by operating two ofthe plurality of heating or cooling elements HC (e.g., located in thetop portion of the cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, orliquid container). In still another embodiment, the circulation can beinduced, promoted, facilitated or generated by operating more than twoof the plurality of heating or cooling elements HC (e.g., located in thetop portion of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container. In oneembodiment, the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container can have fourheating and cooling elements HC (e.g., in a panel disposed on orincorporated in a side wall of the cup, mug, travel mug or liquidcontainer), such as shown in FIGS. 34A-34C. However, in otherembodiments, the cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container can have fewerthan four or more than four heating or cooling elements HC. In oneembodiment, the one or more heating or cooling elements HC arepreferably arranged on the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container and/oroperated in a manner that such circulation of fluid is induced, promotedfacilitated or generated.

In one embodiment, the heating or cooling elements HC can be spaced fromeach other (e.g., vertically spaced) along the sidewall of the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, or liquid container. In another embodiment, the heating or coolingelements HC can be adjacent each other. In still another embodiment,each of the heating or cooling elements HC can be in contact with atleast one adjacent heating and cooling element. In one embodiment, theheating or cooling elements HC can be arranged in a panel (e.g., a panelof Peltier elements) or a cluster (e.g. a cluster of Peltier elements).

In one embodiment, the electronic module of the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquidcontainer can operate the one or more heating and cooling elements HC(e.g., Peltier elements, resistive coil heaters) to induce, promote,facilitate or generate said circulation flow C based at least in part onthe sensed liquid level information sensed by the one or more liquidlevel sensors (e.g., ultrasound sensors) as discussed above (and asdiscussed further with respect to FIG. 44 herein). For example, wherethe electronic module (such as the electronic module 490, 690, 2090,2190, EM) operates two or more heating or cooling elements HC in anupper portion of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400 or liquid container (e.g., beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500) togenerate said circulation of flow C (e.g., even if there are more thantwo heating or cooling elements HC in the sidewall SW of the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid container), asthe liquid level drops below the first HC1 of the two or more heatingand cooling elements HC, the electronic module can turn said firstheating and cooling element HC1 off. Optionally, the electronic modulecan also turn on, activate, or power on another heating or coolingelement HC2 below the second of the two heating and cooling elements HCso that there remain two or more heating and cooling elements HC inoperation to effect said circulation flow.

In one embodiment, circulation or mixing of the liquid within a cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, or liquid container can be accomplished using kinetic movementsuch as a diaphragm that moves in and out, similar to the cone of anaudio speaker (e.g., a diaphragm attached to, embedded in or otherwiseincorporated into the body, such as sidewall, of the container). Inanother embodiment, circulation or mixing of the liquid within a cup,mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beermug 1600, or liquid container can be accomplished using sound waves orsound vibrations (e.g. a small speaker or piezoelectric speaker mountedto a surface of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquid container). In anotherembodiment, circulation or mixing of the liquid within a cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, or liquid container can be accomplished using kinetic movementsuch as a piston or shaft that moves in and out, causing a disruption ofthe liquid and therefore mixing the liquid. In another embodiment,circulation or mixing of the liquid within a cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, or liquidcontainer can be accomplished using kinetic movement such as one or morerotating mixer blades or arms (e.g., attached to or otherwiseincorporated into the body of the container).

Generation of Electricity with Heating or Cooling Elements

In one embodiment, one or more of the heating or cooling elements HC cangenerate electricity that can be used (e.g., by the electronic module,such as the electronic module 490, 690, 2090, 2190, EM) to charge theone or more power storage devices (e.g., the power storage devices 480,680, 2080, 2180, PS). In another embodiment, one or more thermoelectricelements within a cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquid container (such as thosedisclosed in embodiments herein) can receive heat energy from hot liquidthat has been poured into said cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquid container and theheat energy can be converted to electricity. This electricity can beused to recharge one or more power storage elements PS or can be used todirectly power a specific feature (such as a thermostat or a Bluetoothradio, or WiFi radio, or indicator lights, or an indicator display whichdisplays the temperature of the liquid, or any of the features describedwithin this specification). In another embodiment, one or morethermoelectric elements within a cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquid container canreceive heat energy from hot liquid that has been poured into said cup,mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle1500, or liquid container and the heat energy can be converted toelectricity. The control circuitry within said cup, mug 400, bowl B,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquidcontainer can direct such electricity to charge the one or more powerstorage devices (e.g., power storage elements PS, batteries, capacitors)disclosed herein, which can advantageously prolong the working period ofthe cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, or liquid container (e.g., maintain the liquid at thepredetermined or preselected temperature or temperature range for alonger period of time).

In another embodiment, the control circuitry within the cup, mug 400,bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, orliquid container can activate one or more of a plurality ofthermoelectric elements (such as those disclosed herein, for example HC)in order to actively heat or cool the liquid within the cup, mug 400,bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, orliquid container. In this embodiment, the one or more thermoelectricelements that are not in use (i.e. not powered up to actively heat orcool the liquid) can be used to generate electricity (e.g. from the heatenergy of the liquid) and can be used to charge the one or more powerstorage elements (e.g., power storage elements PS, batteries,capacitors). In another embodiment, the electricity generated by thenot-in-use thermoelectric elements can be used to directly or indirectlydirect power to the one or more thermoelectric elements that are in use(i.e. powered up to actively heat or cool the liquid).

In another embodiment, the control circuitry within the cup, mug 400,bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, orliquid container can activate one or more of a plurality ofthermoelectric elements in order to actively heat the liquid within thecup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, or liquid container. In this embodiment, if the liquid thatis poured into the cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquid container is a highertemperature than the user-selected or factory-selected temperaturesetpoint, the one or more thermoelectric elements can be used togenerate electricity (to charge the one or more power storage elements,such as PS) until the point in which the user-selected orfactory-selected liquid temperature has been reached. At this point, theone or more thermoelectric elements can be utilized by the controlcircuitry in order to maintain said liquid temperature (i.e. be poweredup to emit heat and be controlled by the control circuitry). Thisembodiment uses the thermoelectric elements both to generate electricityand also to actively heat the liquid within the cup, mug 400, bowl B,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquidcontainer, and the dual purpose use of said thermoelectric elements iscontrolled by the control circuitry. This configuration advantageouslytakes advantage of the hot liquid in the cup, mug 400, bowl B, travelmug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquid containerin order to generate electricity while the liquid is too hot. Thisallows the one or more power storage elements to be charged or receiveadditional charging, so that the duration of time that the liquid can bekept at the temperature setpoint is prolonged.

In another embodiment, one or more thermoelectric generators can be usedindependent of the heating or cooling elements HC, and can be used togenerate electricity to charge one or more energy storage devices withina cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, or liquid container.

In another embodiment, the cup, mug, bowl, travel mug, baby bottle orliquid container can have a port in which an external electronic device(e.g., mobile phone, radio, fitness monitoring device, PDA) can beconnected, and the electricity generated from the thermoelectricelements can be used to power or charge said external electronic device.In a similar embodiment, wireless power can be used (as opposed to aport) to electrically connect an external electronic device (e.g. mobilephone, radio, fitness monitoring device, PDA) so that the externalelectronic device can receive power from the cup, mug 400, bowl B,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquidcontainer.

In another embodiment, there need not be an electricity generator withinthe cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, babybottle 1500, or liquid container. A port or wireless power transmitterwithin the cup, mug 400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquid container can be used to transmitpower to an external electronic device (e.g. mobile phone, radio,fitness monitoring device, PDA) in order to power or charge saidexternal electronic device. The one or more power storage elements (e.g.power storage elements PS, batteries or capacitors) within the cup, mug400, bowl B, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500,or liquid container can be used to provide the electricity that is usedto transmit to said external electronic device.

Though the generation of electricity with the heating or coolingelements HC disclosed above may be described in connection with a mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid container (suchas a beer mug 1600 or baby bottle 1500), one of skill in the art willrecognize that it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate), includingthe plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, bread basket 2200,tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

Chilled Drinkware (e.g., Beer Mug)

FIG. 34D shows one embodiment of chilled drinkware 1600. In theillustrated embodiment, the chilled drinkware 1600 can be a beer mug1600. The beer mug 1600 can have a body 1612 with a circumferential wall1612 a, an inner side surface 1612 b, a handle 1614 and a base 1620having a top surface 1620 a, where the inner side surface 1612 b and topsurface 1620 a define a cavity 1618 that can hold a liquid (e.g., beer,soft drink, water). The beer mug 1600 can have a cooling system 1655which can be disposed (e.g., embedded) in a cavity 1650 a between thecircumferential wall 1612 a and the inner side surface 1612 b. Thecooling system 1655 can include one or more cooling elements 1660 (e.g.Peltier elements) disposed against an outer surface of the inner sidesurface 1612 b so as to cool said inner side surface 1612 b and therebycool the liquid in the cavity 1618, an insulative member 1670, one ormore energy storage devices 1680 and an electronic module 1690, andthese components can be arranged and connected in the same mannerdescribed above in connection with the heated or cooled plate 100, mug400, or travel mug 600. In one embodiment, one or more heat sinks can bethermally attached to the one or more cooling elements 1660 (heat sinksnot shown). In another embodiment, an active cooling system (e.g. fan,diaphragm cooler, etc.) can be used to actively cool said heat sinks(not shown). In another embodiment, the insulative member 1670 can beexcluded. In another embodiment, the one or more power storage devicesor elements 1680 can be excluded.

The electronic module 1690 can be attached to a top surface 1644 of abottom member 1640 of the mug 1600 and include one or more of a wirelesspower receiver 1692, control circuitry 1694 (e.g., controller circuit,microcontroller, etc.) and optionally a charger 1696 (e.g., chargingcircuit) for charging the one or more energy storage devices 1680 inembodiments where the mug 1600 includes the energy storage devices 1680.The electronic module 1690 can include a MCU with capacitive sensing andgraphic control features. The control circuitry 1694 can operate tomanage the power delivered to the one or more cooling elements 1660,which in one embodiment can be controlled independently of each other asdiscussed herein. The control circuitry 1694 can also be used to managethe charging of the one or more energy storage devices 1680. In oneembodiment, the wireless power receiver 1692 is electrically connectedto the battery charger 1696, which is electrically connected to theenergy storage devices 1680 that in turn are electrically connected tothe cooling element 1660. In another embodiment, where energy storagedevices 1680 are excluded (as discussed above), the wireless powerreceiver 1692 can be electrically connected to the cooling elements 1660(and can be controlled by control circuitry to maintain a specifictemperature setpoint). In one embodiment, the cooling system 1655 iscompletely disposed in the body 1612 so that no part of the system 1655is visible (i.e., the mug 1600 looks like a conventional mug). Inanother embodiment, the cooling system 1655 can be housed in a modulethat is removably attachable to the mug 1600. In another embodiment, aportion of the cooling system can be disposed in the body and a portionof the cooling system can be disposed outside the body (e.g. heatsink,etc.).

As discussed herein, the wireless power receiver 1692 can receive powerfrom a wireless power transmitter (e.g., in a charging base on which themug is placed, in a table, bar, counter or desk that incorporates awireless power transmitter, etc.). Where a charging base is used, in oneembodiment at least a portion of the charging base can extend into thebottom of the mug 1600 or be proximate the bottom surface of the mug1600.

In one embodiment, the bottom member 1640 can be removably attached tothe mug 1600 to allow access to the cooling system 1655 in the cavity1650 a. For example, the bottom member 1640 can be mechanically coupledto the mug 1600 (e.g., with screws, a threaded interface between thebottom member 1640 and mug 1600, a press-fit connection). The bottommember 1640 can be removed to allow the replacing of the one or moreenergy storage devices 1680 and the servicing of the cooling system1655. In one embodiment, the bottom member 1640 can be a water resistantlid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) tothe mug 1600, cup or liquid container for accessing the cooling system1655. In another embodiment, the bottom member 1640 can be a waterresistant lid that can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded on orscrewed) to the mug 1600 for accessing the one or more energy storagedevices 1680. In yet another embodiment, the energy storage devices 1680can be in a pack that is attached (e.g., threaded, snap fit, screweddown) onto the bottom of the mug 1600, where the pack's electricalcontacts connect with a set of electrical contacts on the bottom of themug 1600.

In another embodiment, the mug 1600 can include one or more corrosionresistant electrical contacts (not shown) on an outer surface of the mug1600, such as a bottom surface 1642 of the bottom portion 1640 of themug 1600, where the electrical contacts are sized and shaped to contactcorresponding electrical contacts (not shown) (e.g., on a charging basewhen the mug 1600 is placed on the charging base). In one embodiment,the electrical contacts of the mug 1600 can protrude from a surface ofthe mug 1600, such as electrical posts. In another embodiment, theelectrical contacts of the mug 1600, cup or liquid container can be oneor more contact pads (not shown) on the bottom surface 1642 of thebottom portion 1640 of the mug 1600, cup or liquid container that cancontact corresponding contact pads (not shown) on the charging base.However, the electrical contacts on the mug 1600 and associated chargingbase can have other suitable configurations.

The mug 1600 can operate in a similar manner as discussed above inconnection with the mug 400 or travel mug 600. In one embodiment, wherethe mug 1600 has power storage devices 1680, the electronic module 1690can store energy received (wirelessly via the wireless power receiver1692, or via a direct electrical connection as discussed above) in thepower storage devices 1680 for powering the one or more cooling elements1660. In another embodiment, where power storage devices 1680 areexcluded, said received energy or power can be directed to the coolingelements 1660.

As discussed herein, the active cooling systems described in embodimentsabove can be incorporated into chilled drinkware, such as a beer mug1600. The active cooling system 1655 can include one or more coolingelements 1660 (e.g., Peltier elements) on a wall 1612 b (e.g., sidewall)of the beer mug body 1612 that can cool a liquid in the receiving cavity1618 of the mug. In some embodiments, the mug 1600 can include one ormore power storage elements 1680 that can supply power to the one ormore cooling elements 1660. The mug 1600 can optionally include awireless power receiver 1692 that can wirelessly receive power from apower source, as discussed in the embodiments herein, and controlcircuitry 1694 that can operate the one or more cooling elements 1660,and charge the one or more power storage elements 1680. The mug 1600 canalso incorporate all of the sensors discussed herein (e.g., liquid levelsensors, temperature sensors, tilt sensors). The one or more coolingelements 1660 can be operated in unison or individually and independentof each other, as described herein (e.g., to induce circulation ofliquid flow, to maintain the liquid at a predetermined or preselectedtemperature or temperature range). In one embodiment, the one or morecooling elements 1660 can be operated to maintain the liquid in the mugat 60 degrees F. or less. In another embodiment, the one or more coolingelements 1660 can be operated to maintain the liquid in the mug at 50degrees F. or less, such as about 45 degrees F. In another embodiment,the one or more cooling elements 1660 can be operated to maintain theliquid in the mug at 40 degrees F. or less. In one embodiment, the beermug 1600 can have a user interface, which can allow the user to turn onor off the cooling system or set a specific liquid temperature setpointor mode of cooling operation (e.g., High, Medium, Low), or set anapproximate liquid temperature setpoint. In another embodiment, the beermug can be controlled via wireless remote or via mobile electronicdevice (e.g. mobile phone or tablet).

Though the chilled drinkware disclosed above may be described inconnection with a beer mug 1600, one of skill in the art will recognizethat it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware orserverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish), including the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, and the scope of disclosure and theinvention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Wireless Power Transmitter

As discussed in the embodiments herein, the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, or liquid container (e.g., chilleddrinkware, such as beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500) can have an activeheating or cooling system. In one embodiment, the heating or coolingsystem can include a wireless power receiver that receives power (e.g.,via induction) from a power source and uses it to store energy in one ormore power storage devices PS (see FIG. 44), which can then providepower to one or more heating or cooling elements HC (e.g., the elementscan be operated to provide both heating and cooling). In anotherembodiment, the heating or cooling system can exclude power storagedevices PS and power is transmitted from the wireless power receiver tothe one or more heating or cooling elements HC (or can be transmitted tothe electronics module EM which can control the power flow to theheating or cooling elements HC).

In one embodiment, the power source can be one or more wireless powertransmitters 1800 (e.g., and inductive power pad) that can be attachedto, coupled to, embedded in, or otherwise incorporated into a table top,counter top, bar top, desk top or any other support surface 1850. Inuse, as shown in FIGS. 38A-38F, the user can place the actively heatedor cooled bowl B, plate 100, 100′, 100″, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300,1400, cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquidcontainer (e.g., chilled drinkware such as a beer mug 1600, baby bottle1500) on said table top, counter top, bar top, desk top or supportsurface 1850 and the wireless power transmitter 1800 therein can providewireless power to the wireless power receiver in actively heated orcooled bowl B, plate 100, 100′, 100″, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400,cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, or liquidcontainer (e.g., chilled drinkware such as a beer mug 1600, baby bottle1500). As discussed above, where the heating or cooling system includesone or more power storage devices, said transmitted wireless power canbe used to store energy in the one or more power storage devices (e.g.,charge the batteries). In embodiments where the heating or coolingsystem excludes power storage devices, said transmitted wireless powercan be used to provide power to the one or more heating or coolingelements via the electronic module of the heating or cooling system.

In another embodiment, said transmitted wireless power can be used toprovide power directly to the one or more heating or cooling elements(e.g., HC, see FIG. 44) within the bowl B, plate 100, 100′, 100″, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, or liquid container (e.g., chilled drinkware such as a beermug 1600, baby bottle 1500), and the electronic module can be omitted.This embodiment of said dishware can have a wireless power receiver andone or more heating or cooling elements, and no other circuitry, or veryminimal circuitry, in order to keep manufacturing costs low. In anotherembodiment, said transmitted wireless power can be used to provide powerto the one or more heating or cooling elements within the bowl B, plate100, 100′, 100″, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug 400, travelmug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, or liquid container (e.g., chilleddrinkware such as a beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500), and said dishwarecan have a simple circuit that can limit the power to the one or moreheating or cooling elements or can have a simple thermostat circuit thatcan keep the temperature of the liquid at a predetermined temperature ortemperature range. As such, the wireless power transmitters 1800 can beincorporated into tables (indoor or outdoor), counters or bars at cafesor coffee shops, restaurants, bars, as well as into desk tables (e.g.,at work, school). Such wireless power transmitters 1800 can also beincorporated into cup holders (e.g., at movie theatres, in anautomobile, etc.).

In one embodiment, where the liquid container is a coffee cup with theactive heating or cooling system incorporated therein, in the mannerdiscussed herein, a wireless power transmitter can be attached to,coupled to, embedded in or otherwise incorporated in a saucer plateassociated with the coffee cup and on which the coffee cup can rest. Thesaucer plate can in turn be connected to a power source (e.g., walloutlet) and can provide power to the heating or cooling system in thecoffee cup. In one embodiment, the saucer plate can have one or morepower storage elements, which can be charged and can provide power tosaid coffee cup via electrical contacts or wireless power. In anotherembodiment, the saucer plate can be a different form factor, such as adisc shape, or cradle shape, or any other suitable shape that the coffeecup can sit on. These embodiments can have all of the same featuresand/or functions as the saucer plate (described above).

In another embodiment, the wireless power transmitter can be coupled to,attached to, embedded in or otherwise incorporated into a cup holder(e.g., in an automobile, truck, bus, boat, airplane) that can receivethe cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug1600, or liquid container therein, such that the wireless powertransmitter can transmit power to the wireless power receiver in thecup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, orliquid container when the latter is placed in or supported by the cupholder.

In another embodiment, the wireless power transmitter can be attachedto, coupled to, embedded in or otherwise incorporated in a containerreceiving area of a coffee making machine (e.g., a single-serving coffeemachine, or coffee machine with a carafe, etc.). When the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, or liquidcontainer is placed on the receiving area of the machine it can sit overthe wireless power transmitter, which can transmit power to the wirelesspower receiver in the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, coffee carafe, or liquid container. As previously discussed, saidwireless power can be used to store energy in one or more power storagedevices (e.g., 680, 2080, 2180) of the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, or liquid container or it can bedirectly directed to the heating or cooling elements in embodimentswhere the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffeecarafe or liquid container exclude power storage devices. The cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, or liquidcontainer can in one embodiment use the power received from the wirelesspower transmitter to pre-heat the liquid receiving area of the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, or liquidcontainer either before or coincident with delivery of liquid from themachine into the receiving area. Such implementation of a wireless powertransmitter into the coffee making machine can advantageously provide amechanism for a preheating system within the cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe, or liquid container. In oneembodiment, where the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, coffee carafe, or liquid container has one or more power storagedevices (e.g. batteries, capacitors, etc.), once the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe or liquidcontainer is removed from the receiving area of the coffee makingmachine, the electronic module (e.g., electronic module EM in FIG. 44 orother control circuitry) can operate the one or more heating or coolingelements to maintain the liquid at the user selected or predeterminedtemperature or temperature range. In other embodiments, where the powerstorage elements are excluded, once the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600,1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe or liquid container is removedfrom the receiving area of the coffee making machine, the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, coffee carafe or liquidcontainer will slowly cool down over time, in accordance with the heatdissipation characteristics of the material of the cup, mug, travel mug,coffee carafe or liquid container. Thermal materials can be used toprolong the amount of time that the cup, mug, travel mug or liquidcontainer stays hot (e.g. phase change material, etc.). In oneembodiment, the said cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, or liquidcontainer can have an inductive coupling receiver and a heating orcooling element (e.g., heating or cooling element HC, such as a Peltierelement, resistive heater). In another embodiment, there can be othercircuitry in the said cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe or liquidcontainer, such as a temperature sensor (e.g., the temperature sensors820A-820D, 920, or S1-Sn in FIG. 44) and an electronics module (e.g.,electronic module 90, EM in FIG. 44) which can regulate the temperatureof the heating or cooling elements.

In another embodiment, said cup, mug travel mug, coffee carafe or liquidcontainer can have an inductive coupling power receiver, a thermostatcircuit, and heating or cooling elements. In this embodiment, when thecup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe or liquid container is placed in thereceiving area of the coffee making machine, and the inductive couplingtransmitter of the machine is turned on, the cup, mug, travel mug,coffee carafe or liquid container can use its thermostat circuit tocontrol the pre-heating process at a user selected or predeterminedtemperature or temperature range. This embodiment can have a userinterface, or can exclude a user-interface and rely on a factory settemperature or temperature range. In another embodiment, similar to theabove embodiment, instead of using a thermostat circuit, said cup, mugtravel mug, coffee carafe or liquid container can have an inductivecoupling power receiver, a power limiting device (i.e. current limiter,voltage limiter or wattage limiter), and heating or cooling elements. Inthis embodiment, when the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe or liquidcontainer is placed in the receiving area of the coffee making machine,and the inductive coupling transmitter of the machine is turned on, thecup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe or liquid container can use itspower limiting device to control the pre-heating temperature at a userselected or predetermined temperature or temperature range. Thisembodiment can have a user interface, or can exclude a user-interfaceand rely on a factory predetermined temperature or temperature range. Inanother embodiment, the user can select a pre-heat temperature orpre-heat temperature range for said cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafeor liquid container via a user interface located on the coffee makingmachine. In this embodiment, the coffee making machine can limit orcontrol the power level of its inductive coupling transmitter (based onthe user-selected temperature or temperature range), so as to controlthe amount of power delivered to the inductive coupling receiver withinthe cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe or liquid container. Thisembodiment advantageously allows the user to select a pre-heattemperature or pre-heat temperature range for the cup, mug, travel mug,coffee carafe or liquid container directly on the coffee maker machine,and the manufacturing costs for the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafeor liquid container can be reduced due to the reduced number ofcomponents within the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe or liquidcontainer. Although the machine described in the above embodiments is acoffee making machine, the above embodiments can work with a tea makingmachine, or coffee and tea making machine, or other hot or cold liquiddispensing machines.

As discussed previously, the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, orliquid container can have a user-selected temperature set point or mode(e.g., low, medium, high). As discussed herein, such user-selectedtemperature set point or range can be provided, in one embodiment, via auser interface on the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe or liquidcontainer. In one embodiment, the base of the coffee making machinecould have a user interface (e.g., temperature set point selector, suchas a dial) with which the user could preset the temperature for the cup,mug, travel mug, coffee carafe or liquid container that is placed on thebase or receiving area. In other embodiments, the cup, mug, travel mug,coffee carafe, or liquid container can have a preselected temperatureset point (e.g., a factory pre-set temperature). In still anotherembodiment, the cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, or liquid containerneed not have a preselected (e.g., at factory) or user selectedtemperature set point. Rather, the amount of heat provided by theheating or cooling element can be controlled by the amount of amperage,voltage or wattage passed through the induction transmitter. In such anembodiment, the coffee making machine could include a potentiometer thatcontrols the amperage (or voltage or wattage) provided to the base orreceiving area of the coffee making machine to set the temperature onthe cup, mug or travel mug placed on the receiving area. Although themachine described in the above embodiments is a coffee making machine,the above embodiments can work with a tea making machine, or coffee andtea making machine, or other hot or cold liquid dispensing machines.

Though the wireless power transmitter disclosed above may be describedin connection with a cup, mug, travel mug, coffee carafe, or liquidcontainer, one of skill in the art will recognize that it can also applyto any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl,serving dish, hot plate), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scopeof disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Wireless Control

In one embodiment, operation of the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container can be controlledwirelessly (e.g., via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IR or RF communication).For example, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 can include acommunication transceiver (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IR or RFtransceiver) that allows the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup or liquid container to send information to theremote device, as well as to receive information and/or instructionsfrom the remote device. In one embodiment, the plate 100, bowl, servingdish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container can have an IPaddress and be linked to a user via a Wi-Fi network. Accordingly, theplate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, cup or liquid container (e.g., beer mug 1600, baby bottle1500) can connect wirelessly to a cloud (e.g., a cloud-basedcommunication system). In another embodiment, the plate 100, bowl,serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container can havea near field communication (NFC) pad, so that a user can use theirmobile electronic device to connect to the plate 100, bowl, servingdish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container via Bluetooth(e.g., via a Bluetooth link using a Bluetooth chip) or other wirelesscommunication means.

In one embodiment, the remote device can be a wireless remote control.In another embodiment, the remote device can be a mobile electronicdevice (e.g., smart phone, PDA, tablet computer, laptop, notebook, etc.)that can communicate via the cloud, or that can be paired orsynchronized (e.g., via Bluetooth), with the plate 100, bowl, servingdish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container (e.g., chilleddrinkware, baby bottle). With respect to plates 100, bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, cups or liquid containers, the mobile electronicdevice can be paired with one of the plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, cups or liquid containers to control the operation of thatindividual plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, cup or liquidcontainer or can be paired with a plurality of plates 100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, cups or liquid containers to control theoperation of the plurality of plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, cups or liquid containers at the same time.

In one embodiment, a mobile application (e.g., an iPhone, Android,BlackBerry or Windows mobile application) can be installed on the mobileelectronic device to allow the mobile electronic device to communicatewith the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travelmugs 600, cups or liquid containers (e.g., via the cloud or via aBluetooth connection).

The wireless remote control or mobile electronic device can receiveoperational data from the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers with which thewireless remote control or mobile electronic device communicates via thecloud or is paired (e.g., via Bluetooth). For example, charge level ofthe one or more batteries 80, 480, 680; heating/cooling status ortemperature of the plate 100 bowl or serving dish or different sectionsof the plate 100 bowl or serving dish, or of the cup, liquid container,mug 400 or the travel mug 600; ambient temperature; and/or diagnosticinformation for the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 can becommunicated to the wireless remote control or mobile electronic device.In one embodiment, the mobile electronic device can receive informationfrom the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travelmugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cups or liquid containers (e.g., viathe cloud or via a near field communication system, or via Wi-Fi or viaBluetooth). For example, the mobile electronic device could receiveinformation on how many cups of coffee the user has had throughout theday. Additionally, using the liquid level sensors (discussed above), themobile electronic device could receive information from the cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid container on thevolume (e.g., ounces) of liquid (e.g., coffee, tea, water, beer, softdrink) that the user has consumed (e.g., on a daily basis, on a weeklybasis, on a monthly basis, etc.). Accordingly, the cup, mug 400, travelmug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid container could communicatewith the cloud to provide information on the coffee, beer, water (etc.)intake of the user, thereby tracking user behavior. The user could usesuch information to track information about their habits (e.g., times ofday that they drink coffee, number of cups of coffee consumed a day,type of coffee drink or tea that they like, etc.). Such informationcould also be used to limit user intake (e.g., of coffee), bycommunicating such habit information (e.g., set by the user via the userinterface on the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,baby bottle 1500 or liquid container, or via a mobile application orwebsite, as discussed further herein, or stored on the cloud based oninformation compiled from the user over, for example a week, a month,etc.) to the user via the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, or liquid container. For example, the cup,mug or travel mug could activate an alarm (e.g., visual alarm, auditoryalarm) to let the user know when the intake limit for coffee has beenreached for the day, such drink limit information communicated from thecloud to the cup, mug, baby bottle, travel mug or liquid container.Similarly, the chilled drinkware (e.g., beer mug) could activate analarm (e.g., visual alarm, auditory alarm, etc.) when the number ofbeers consumed reaches a preselected limit (e.g., chosen by the user,bartender, etc.) via an electronic device (e.g., mobile electronicdevice, desk top computer, etc.) through the cloud or a near fieldcommunication system, or can be selected via a user-interface on thechilled drinkware device (e.g., beer mug 1600).

As discussed above, the information collected by the one or more plates100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, cups, baby bottles 1500 or liquid containers can be sent toa cloud based data collection/storage system that the user can accessvia a dashboard interface on an electronic device (e.g., a mobileelectronic device, a desktop computer, etc.). In one embodiment, thecloud could be local, where the user's mobile phone, PDA, tabletcomputer, etc., can link to a router and can then be used to sendinstructions to and receive information from the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, cups, baby bottles 1500 or liquid containers. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, the electronic device (e.g., mobile electronic device,desktop computer) could communicate with the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, cups, baby bottles 1500 or liquid containers, without using theinternet.

In one embodiment, the information stored on the cloud can becommunicated to social networking sites, e.g., by the user, to shareinformation (e.g., progress in reducing coffee intake, or sharing theuser's favorite type of coffee or tea drinks, or the user's daily coffeeor tea drinking habits, etc.) with the user's social network.

RFID Tag

In one embodiment, the cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container can havean RFID tag. In this embodiment, user data can be transmitted via theRFID tag to an RFID reader at a coffee shop, tea shop, coffee café,café, grocery store, food & beverage location, or other retail location.The RFID tag can communicate certain data, such as the user's favoritecoffee or tea drink, or the user's drinking habits, or what coffeeand/or tea shops the user has visited, or what other retail locationsthe user has visited, or what temperature the user prefers to keep hisor her coffee or tea drink. In another embodiment, the RFID tag withinthe cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container can be used to pay for thebeverage, food or merchandise that the user chooses to purchase. In thisembodiment, the RFID tag within the cup, mug, travel mug or liquidcontainer can communicate with an RFID reader of the coffee shop, teashop, coffee café, café, grocery store, food & beverage location orother retail location, and can communicate the user's identificationinformation, or account information, or credit card information, or bankaccount information, or credit account information (e.g. such as acoffee shop credit account or coffee shop pre-paid account, or a creditaccount or pre-paid account of another suitable type). In thisembodiment, the user can use his or her cup, mug, travel mug or liquidcontainer to pay for food, beverage or other merchandise. In anotherembodiment, the RFID tag within the cup, mug, travel mug or liquidcontainer can be used as part of a customer loyalty rewards program. Asan example, the coffee shop, tea shop, coffee café, grocery store, food& beverage location or other retail location can reward the user a freecup of coffee or tea for every 10 cups of coffee or tea that the userpurchases. Each time the user purchases a cup of coffee or tea, the RFIDtag can communicate said information to an RFID reader, or thepurchasing data can be stored on the RFID tag, or within other datastorage circuitry inside the cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container,or on a cloud based data storage system, or a local or remote datastorage system. Although the example given above states one free cup ofcoffee or tea for every ten cups of coffee or tea purchased, otherrewards programs can be used (e.g. food, beverage, merchandise, rewardspoints, reward dollars, dollars, currency, etc. can be extended to thecustomer in exchange for total amount of coffee or tea consumed orpurchased by the customer, or certain types of coffee or tea purchasedby the customer, or a reward points system, or other beveragespurchased, or total amount of dollars spent, or number of times per day,month, or year the costumer makes purchases, or any other suitablerewards program can be used). In one embodiment, the reward points, orrewards dollars, or other reward program information can be displayed onthe user's cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container via a display screenor can be displayed on the user's mobile electronic device, or cellphone, or tablet or on the cloud, or on the user's dashboard, or on awebsite or on a mobile phone or tablet application, etc. In anotherembodiment, the RFID tag within the cup, mug, travel mug or liquidcontainer can communicate information to an RFID reader within a coffeeshop, tea shop, coffee café, café, grocery store, food & beveragelocation or other retail location for the purposes of accumulating datathat can be used to calculate the approximate or exact amount of papercups or disposable cups not used or number of trees saved, etc. In thisembodiment, as an example, when the user uses his or her cup, mug,travel mug or liquid container to consume a purchased beverage, adisposable cup has been saved (i.e. not used). This user data can becollected and can be transmitted via the RFID tag and ultimately can bedisplayed on the user's cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container via adisplay screen or can be displayed on the user's mobile electronicdevice, or cell phone, or tablet, or on the user's internet dashboard,or on a website or on a mobile phone or tablet application, or on asocial media website or app, or on a screen inside or outside the coffeeshop, tea shop, coffee café, café, grocery store, food & beveragelocation or other retail location, etc. (e.g. total number orapproximate total number of trees saved, or total number of disposablecups saved or not used, or total carbon footprint offset, or othersuitable green or eco initiative information). In this embodiment, theinformation can be single user information (e.g. how many disposal cupsthe user has independently saved) or the data collection can becumulative and can include data from a group of users or all users, etc.(e.g., total number or approximate total number of disposable cupssaved, or trees saved, or carbon footprint offset, across all users ofsaid RFID tag enabled cups, mugs, travel mugs or liquid containers). Inanother embodiment, the user's data can be collected and displayeddirectly on a screen of the user's cup, mug, travel mug or liquidcontainer or can be displayed on a screen of the user's mobile phone ormobile electronic device via Bluetooth pairing (e.g. how many disposalcups the user has independently saved or the number of trees saved, ortotal carbon footprint offset, etc.) and in this embodiment the use oftransmitted user data (e.g. RFID tag) would not be necessary. Althoughthe embodiments described in this paragraph use an RFID tag and RFIDreader to communicate data, other suitable methods of wirelesscommunication can be used to transmit said data (e.g. the cup, mug,travel mug or liquid container can communicate said data via a WiFiconnection, or via a Bluetooth radio, or via ZigBee radio, or via nearfield communication (NFC), or any other suitable RF, Infrared orultrasound transmitter or receiver). In one embodiment, multiple stagesof communications can lead to the data arriving in a targeted location(e.g. a Bluetooth radio of the cup, mug, travel mug or liquid containercan transmit certain data to a mobile electronic device (via Bluetoothparing) and the mobile electronic device can relay or transmit said datato the internet via its cellular or WiFi connection to the internet).

In another embodiment, the data described in this paragraph above can betransmitted to the coffee shop, tea shop, coffee café, café, grocerystore, food & beverage location or other retail location via a QR codethat is displayed on a screen of the user's cup, mug, travel mug orliquid container (e.g. the user can pay for beverage, food ormerchandise via the use of a QR code that is displayed on a screen ofthe user's cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container, or a user cantransmit reward points information, or identification information, orany other information, as outlined in this paragraph above, via a QRcode on a screen of the user's cup, mug, travel mug or liquidcontainer). In another embodiment, said QR code can be displayed on amobile phone, or mobile electronic device via a wireless transmission ofdata from the cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container to the user'smobile phone or mobile electronic device. Although the embodimentdescribed in this paragraph utilizes a QR code, in other embodimentsanother graphic or symbol or barcode can be used instead of a QR code.

In one embodiment, the wireless remote control or mobile electronicdevice can display the temperature of the liquid that is within the cup,mug 400, travel mug 600 or liquid container (e.g., sensed by the one ormore temperature sensors in the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600 or liquidcontainer). In one embodiment, the wireless remote control or mobileelectronic device can display the liquid level within the cup, mug 400,travel mug 600 or liquid container (e.g., sensed by the one or moreliquid level sensors in the cup, mug 400, travel mug 600 or liquidcontainer). In another embodiment, the wireless remote control or mobileelectronic device can display the temperature of the food that is on theplate 100, 800, 900 or serving dish or the temperature of the food orsoup within the bowl (e.g., sensed by the one or more temperaturesensors 820A-820D, 920).

The wireless remote control or mobile electronic device can be used bythe user to communicate instructions to the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers with which the wireless remote control or mobile electronicdevice communicates (e.g., via the cloud) or is paired or associatedwith (e.g., via Bluetooth, via near field communication system, viaWiFi, etc.). For example the user can operate the wireless remotecontrol or mobile electronic device to turn on or off one or moreheating or cooling elements 60, 60′ in a plate 100, 100′, bowl orserving dish, cup, mug, travel mug, or liquid container or a set ofplates 100, 100′, bowls or serving dishes, cups, mugs, travel mugs orliquid containers (e.g., turn on or off a plurality of heating orcooling elements 60, 60′ associated with different sections of the plate100, 100′, bowl or serving dish or set of plates 100, 100′, bowl orserving dishes), which would advantageously allow operation of a largenumber of plates, cups, mugs, serving dishes, etc., at the same time,for example by a catering company; to provide temperature setpoints fordifferent sections of the plate 100, 100′, bowl or serving dish, or cup,mug, travel mug, or liquid container or plates 100, 100′, bowl orserving dishes, or cups, mugs, travel mugs, or liquid containers; to settimes (e.g., for how long one or more of the heating or cooling elements60, 60′ is to operate); or to set limited function mode features, asdescribed further below. However, the wireless remote control or mobileelectronic device can be used to provide instructions to the one or moreplates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups orliquid containers to control any operational parameter (e.g. temperaturemode). Such functionality advantageously allows the user to control theone or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cups or liquid containers (e.g., chilleddrinkware, such as beer mugs 1600) remotely. For example, if a user leftthe actively heated or cooled travel mug in his or her car, the usercould turn off operation of the travel mug remotely via their smartphoneor tablet computer or laptop computer, etc.

Though the wireless communication via the cloud, Bluetooth, WiFi, ornear field communication system disclosed above may be described inconnection with a mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 orliquid container (such as a beer mug 1600 or baby bottle 1500), one ofskill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400,bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure andthe invention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can have acolor-mixing LED indicator as a visual indicator which can be adjustedto an individual color (e.g., one user's plate can have a pink glowingindicator, another user's plate can have a blue glowing indicator),allowing the users to identify their specific plate 100, bowl, servingdish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container paired with theirindividual remote control or mobile electronic device. In anotherembodiment, each of the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can have a digitalreadout, allowing each user to have an identifier displayed (e.g., aname, numerical identifier, symbol, unique marking). In anotherembodiment, the plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, cups or liquid containers can be sold in a multi-piece set or asindividual unique units with a permanent identifier marking (e.g. logo,sticker, number, letter, icon, housing shape, housing color, a coloredportion of the housing, glowing colored light, name or any othersuitable identifier marking) so that the individual user can pair totheir unique plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cupor liquid container. In another embodiment, the individually markedplates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups orliquid containers can all be controlled together or in groups via awireless remote or mobile electronic device.

As discussed above, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers (e.g. beer mugs1600, coffee carafes, baby bottles 1500) can have a user interface, suchas a digital screen, that can display operational information (e.g.,temperature, liquid level, battery charge level) as well as informationcommunicated to the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers (e.g., from the cloud orvia Bluetooth from a mobile electronic device). FIGS. 35-37 show oneembodiment of a travel mug 1700A with a user interface 1710A. The travelmug 1700A can have a structural arrangement and heating or coolingsystem similar to the one described herein for the mug 400, travel mug600, 2000, 2100, 2400. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface1710A can be a digital screen (e.g., LCD screen). The user interface1710A can display operational information (e.g., temperature, liquidlevel, battery charge level) of the travel mug 1700A (e.g., operationalinformation communicated from the electronic module to the userinterface 1710A), and optionally, can also display informationcommunicated wirelessly W to the travel mug 1700A from an electronicdevice, such as a mobile electronic device 1750A (see FIG. 37) or fromthe internet via a WiFi connection. As discussed above, in oneembodiment, information can be communicated via the cloud. In anotherembodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 37, the mobile electronic device1750A can communicate with the travel mug 1700A, as an example via aBluetooth connection, where the mobile electronic device 1750A can bepaired with one or more travel mugs 1700A. In one embodiment, the travelmug 1700A can receive information (e.g., via the cloud, via Bluetooth)such as time, date, financial information (e.g., stock information),weather information such as expected high and low temperature for theday, personal information (e.g., appointments from calendar, birthdayreminders, information from social networking sites) and displays theinformation on the user interface 1710A. In one embodiment, as discussedpreviously, the user can input instructions via the user interface 1710A(e.g., change beverage temperature set point, change the heating orcooling system setting between, for example, a variety of power modes, asleep mode, an on mode or an off mode).

In one embodiment, the user interface 1710A (e.g., digital screen) cango into sleep mode, for example, if motion of the travel mug 1700A (orof the plate, cup, mug, baby bottle or liquid container with said userinterface) is not detected after a certain period of time, in order topreserve energy (e.g., battery power). In on embodiment, the userinterface 1710A (e.g., digital screen) can be “woken up” by moving orshaking the travel mug 1700A (or of the plate, cup, mug, bay bottle, orliquid container with said user interface), which can cause a motionsensor (e.g., gyroscope, tilt sensor, such as those disclosed above) tosend a signal to the electronic module to power-on the user interface1710A. In another embodiment, the user interface 1710A (e.g., digitalscreen) can be “woken up” via a gesture sensor (as discussed herein),where the user can wave a hand in front of the sensor or near thesensor, which can then send a signal to the electronic module topower-on the user interface 1710A. In other embodiments, sensors otherthan a gesture sensor can be used to sense a motion by the user, such asa motion sensor, infrared sensor, which can sense motion (e.g., the userapproaching the travel mug 1700A, or the plate, cup, mug, baby bottle orliquid container, etc.). In still another embodiment, the user interface1710A (e.g., digital screen) can be “woken up” via a contact sensor thatcan sense when the user touches the travel mug 1700A (or the plate, cup,mug, baby bottle or liquid container, etc.) and communicates a signal tothe electronic module to power-on the user interface 1710A. In yetanother embodiment, the user interface 1710A (e.g., digital screen) canbe “woken up” via a push button switch or other type of switch.

Though the communication with the user interface disclosed above may bedescribed in connection with a travel mug 1700A, one of skill in the artwill recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug400, travel mug, 600, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500,bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure andthe invention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

In another embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cups orliquid containers (such as a beer mug 1600 or baby bottle 1500) can havea gesture sensor, which can allow the user to control operation of theplate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, cup or liquid container (e.g., beer mug 1600, baby bottle1500) with one or more gestures (e.g., of the user's face, eyes, arms,hands or fingers).

Though the wireless control disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100, 2400, one of skill in the art will recognize that it can alsoapply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g.,bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), includingthe plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, beer mug 1600 or babybottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, cups or liquidcontainers (e.g., chilled drinkware, baby bottle 1500) can communicate(e.g., via WiFi or ZigBee or the cloud or Bluetooth, etc.) with one ormore electronic devices (e.g., mobile electronic devices such as mobiletelephones, PDAs, tablet computers, laptop computers or electronic watchor desktop computers). In one embodiment, the one or more cups, mugs400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid containers(e.g., chilled drinkware such as beer mug 1600, baby bottles 1500) cansend an alert (e.g., visual signal, auditory signal, worded message) tothe electronic device when the liquid level in the cup, mug 400, travelmug 600, 1700A or liquid container reaches a predetermined level or setpoint (as sensed by the one or more liquid sensors) so that the personwith the electronic device (which could be the user or a differentperson) can know that it's time to replenish the liquid (e.g., water,coffee, tea, beer, alcohol) in the one or more cups, mugs, travel mugsor liquid containers (e.g., chilled drinkware, such as beer mugs, babybottles, etc.). In one example, this can advantageously allow the useror their assistant to replenish the drinks in the one or more cups,mugs, travel mugs or liquid containers in an efficient manner andwithout unduly interrupting the holder of the cup, mug, travel mug orliquid container. For example, when used in a boardroom environment, thedrinks can be replenished without unduly interrupting a meeting. Inanother embodiment, where in a bar or restaurant environment, this canadvantageously allow the waitress/waiter or barkeep to efficientlyreplenish drinks without having to constantly monitor the user of thecup, mug, travel mug or liquid container to see if they are in need of arefill (e.g., water, soft drink, coffee, tea, alcohol, such as beer,etc.).

In another embodiment, when the liquid level in the one or more cups,mugs, travel mugs or liquid containers reaches a predetermined level orset point (as discussed above), an alert can be sent to a mobileelectronic device (of the user, of a third person, etc.) and the mobileelectronic device can access a navigation application to locate thenearest location (e.g., coffee shop, convenience store, restaurant)where the user can replenish the liquid in their cup, mug, travel mug orliquid container.

In one embodiment, discussed above, the one or more cups, mugs, travelmugs or liquid containers can be in wireless communication with anautomobile or vehicle and the one or more cups, mugs, travel mugs orliquid containers (e.g., chilled drinkware, baby bottles) cancommunicate (e.g., via Bluetooth) with the automobile or vehicle toprovide the information discussed in the embodiments above (e.g., volumeof liquid left or liquid level, liquid temperature, battery chargelevel). The automobile's or vehicle's communication system can be usedto provide said information to the user via the user interface on thevehicle. In one embodiment, the user can also control the operation ofthe one or more cups, mugs, travel mugs or liquid containers via thevehicle's user interface (e.g., via touch controls or voice activatedcontrols). In one embodiment, when the liquid level within the cup, mug,travel mug or liquid container drops below a predetermined level, thevehicle's user interface can provide information on nearby locations(e.g., coffee shops, convenience stores, gas stations, restaurants)where the user can replenish the liquid in the cup, mug, travel mug orliquid container.

Though the alert notification based on liquid or food level disclosedabove may be described in connection with a cup, mug 400, travel mug600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquid container, one of skill in theart will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle1500, beer mug 1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and thescope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Sensing Boldness of Liquid

In one embodiment, the one or more cups, mugs, travel mugs or liquidcontainers (e.g., chilled drinkware or baby bottles) can include one ormore quality sensors that can sense a quality of the liquid containedtherein, such as the boldness (e.g., of coffee or tea), flavor, acidity,etc. In one embodiment, the one or more quality sensors can be visualsensors, light sensors, ultrasound sensors, pH sensors, taste sensors,or other suitable types of sensors. In one embodiment, the one or moredrink quality sensors can sense the quality (e.g., boldness, flavor,acidity) of the drink in the one or more cups, mugs, travel mugs orliquid containers and communicate the sensed information to theelectronic module, which can communicate the information to the user viaa user interface on the cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container (e.g.,chilled drinkware or baby bottle), or communicate the informationwirelessly to an electronic device (e.g., mobile electronic device suchas a smart phone, PDA, tablet computer; desk top computer, etc.), eithervia the cloud, as discussed above, or via a wireless connection (e.g.,Bluetooth). The drink quality information can be communicated on adisplay screen or in the form of a verbal message, a text message, avisual message, a meter, a visual signal (e.g., glowing or blinkinglights), an auditory signal or other suitable signals. In oneembodiment, the quality sensor can be used to communicate boldnessinformation on coffee in the one or more cups, mugs, travel mugs orliquid containers. In another embodiment, the quality sensor can be usedto communicate information to the user when a tea bag steeping processis completed.

Though the quality sensor disclosed above may be described in connectionwith a mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400 or liquidcontainer, one of skill in the art will recognize that it can also applyto any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl,serving dish, hot plate), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, bread basket 2200,tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the inventionis understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

In one embodiment, the cup, mug, travel mug or liquid container can havea timer feature which can be set and or activated by the user or by athird party (e.g. an employee of a coffee shop). Said timer feature canalert the user as to when the tea bag steeping process is complete. Thealert can be an audible sound, a notification on a display screen, anotification or audible sound on the user's mobile electronic device ormobile phone, or any other suitable means of notifying the user).

Vacuum Sealed Mug

FIG. 39 shows one embodiment of a travel mug 2000, such as a travelcoffee mug, that can incorporate some of the same features describedabove with respect to the mug 400, cup, travel mug 600, 1700A or liquidcontainer. In the illustrated embodiment, the travel mug 2000 has anouter circumferential wall 2010, a handle 2012 and a bottom portion2040, where the bottom portion 2040 can, in one embodiment, be removablyattached to the distal end of the outer circumferential wall 2010. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the travel mug 2000 has an innercircumferential wall 2020 that extends from a proximal portion 2022 to abase 2026. The inner circumferential wall 2020 defines a chamber 2018(e.g., receiving portion or cavity) for holding a liquid (e.g., coffee,tea). The travel mug 2000 can in on embodiment be sized to fit in astandard diameter cup holder (e.g., in an automobile, theatre).Additionally, the travel mug 2000 can be sized (e.g., have a height) toallow it to fit in a drawer (e.g., top drawer) of a dishwasher rack,such that the travel mug 2000 can be placed upside down in thedishwasher for cleaning in a generally vertical orientation. In oneembodiment, the travel mug 2000 can hold about 16 ounces of liquid.However, other liquid containment sizes can be used (e.g., 12 oz., 24oz., etc.).

The inner circumferential wall 2020 can attach at its proximal portion2022 to a proximal end 2012 a of the outer circumferential wall 2010.The inner circumferential wall 2020 is shaped relative to the outercircumferential wall 2010 so as to define an annular gap 2028 betweenthe inner circumferential wall 2020 and the outer circumferential wall2010. Additionally, the base 2026 of the inner circumferential wall 2020is spaced apart from the bottom portion 2040 so as to define a cavity2030 therebetween, where the cavity 2030 is walled off or separated fromthe annular gap 2028. A cover 2070 can be removably disposed over theopening in the inner circumferential wall 2020 to substantially seal thetop of the cavity or liquid receiving portion 2018.

The travel mug 2000 can have a heating or cooling system 2055, similarto heating or cooling systems discloses herein, such as for the mug 400,travel mug 600, plate 100 (e.g., a system that can have one or morePeltier elements that can operate in heating and cooling modes toselectively provide heating and cooling to the liquid in the travel mug2000), though for simplicity the heating elements of the heating orcooling system have been excluded from FIG. 39. In one embodiment, theheating or cooling system 2055 can include one or more energy storagedevices 2080 and an electronic module 2090, where these components canbe arranged and connected in the same manner described above inconnection with the heated or cooled plate 100, bowl or serving dish andheated or cooled mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container. Oneor more heating or cooling elements (not shown) can be disposed adjacentthe inner wall 2020 (e.g., along at least a portion of the height of theinner wall 2020), such as in contact with an outer surface 2020 a of theinner circumferential wall 2020 to thereby provide heating or cooling tothe liquid in the chamber or cavity 2018.

The electronic module 2090 can be attached to the bottom portion 2040and can include one or more of a wireless power receiver 2092 (e.g.,that can receive power from an inductive coupling transmitter in acharging base, such as charging base 700, or a charging pad, such as oneembedded in a table as discussed herein), control circuitry 2094 (e.g.,controller circuit, microcontroller, etc.) and a charger 2096 (e.g.,charging circuit) for charging the one or more energy storage devices2080. The electronic module 2090 can include a MCU with capacitivesensing and graphic control features. The control circuitry 2094 canoperate to manage the power delivered to the one or more heating orcooling elements. The control circuitry 2094 can also be used to managethe charging of the one or more energy storage devices 2080.

In one embodiment, the wireless power receiver 2092 is electricallyconnected to the battery charger 2096, which is electrically connectedto the energy storage devices 2080 that in turn are electricallyconnected to the heating or cooling elements. In another embodiment,where energy storage devices 2080 are excluded, the wireless powerreceiver 2092 can be electrically connected to the heating or coolingelements.

In one embodiment, the bottom portion 2040 can be removably attached tothe travel mug 2000 to allow access to the heating or cooling system2055 in the cavity 2030. For example, the bottom portion 2040 can bemechanically coupled to the travel mug 2000, (e.g., with screws, athreaded interface between the bottom portion 640 and travel mug 600, apress-fit connection). The bottom portion 2040 can be removed to allowthe replacing of the one or more energy storage devices 2080 and theservicing of the heating or cooling system 2055. In one embodiment, thebottom portion 2040 can be a water resistant lid that can be removablyattachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) to the travel mug 2000, cup orliquid container for accessing the heating or cooling system 2055. Inanother embodiment, the bottom portion 2040 can be a water resistant lidthat can be removably attachable (e.g., threaded on or screwed) to thetravel mug 2000, cup or liquid container for accessing the one or moreenergy storage devices 2080. In yet another embodiment, the energystorage devices 2080 can be in a pack that is attached (e.g., threadedsnap fit, screwed down) onto the bottom or side of the travel mug 2000,where the pack's electrical contacts connect with a set of electricalcontacts on the bottom or side of the travel mug 2000, cup or liquidcontainer.

With continued reference to FIG. 39, the travel mug 2000 is a doublewalled unit with the inner wall 2020 and the outer wall 2010. In oneembodiment, the travel mug 2000 can be vacuum sealed, such that a vacuumexists in the gap 2028. In another embodiment, the travel mug 2000 neednot be vacuum sealed, but can have the double wall structure separatedby the gap 2028. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more spacers 2098interconnects the base 2026 of the inner wall 2020 and the inner surface2010 a of the outer wall 2010. In one embodiment, the one or morespacers 2098 can be of a thermally conductive material (e.g., aluminum,copper). The one or more spacers 2098 can advantageously provide athermal bridge to transfer heat from the cavity 2018 to the outer wall2010 a. In one embodiment, the inner wall 2020 and surface 2010 a arepart of a single piece (e.g., monolithic piece) that can be insertedinto the body of the travel mug 2000.

A temperature sensor (e.g., thermistor, thermostat) can be connected tothe outer wall 2010 a and can be in thermal communication with the oneor more spacers 2098 to thereby provide a temperature reading of thetemperature in the cavity 2018. The temperature sensor can communicatewith the electronic module 2090, which can communicate the sensedtemperature information as discussed herein (e.g., communicate it to auser interface of the travel mug 2000, communicate it to an electronicdevice, such as a mobile electronic device, via the cloud or a nearfield communication system). This embodiment advantageously allowsobtaining of temperature information from the cavity 2018 in a doublewalled travel mug 2000 (e.g., a vacuum sealed mug) without the need toextend wiring through a vacuum chamber in the gap 2028.

In another embodiment, the one or more spacers 2098 can alternatively(or additionally) serve as a sound bridge and allow the sensing ofliquid volume or level within the cavity 2018. For example, a soundgenerator (e.g., an ultrasound generator) can be coupled to the outerwall 2010 adjacent one of the one or more spacers 2098 and generate asignal (e.g., a vibration signal) that can be communicated into theliquid in the cavity 2018 via the spacer 2098. A microphone (e.g., anultrasound microphone) can be coupled to the outer wall 2010 adjacentanother of the one or more spacers 2098 and communicate a signal to theelectronic module 2090, which could determine a volume (or level) ofliquid in the cavity 2018 based on a comparison of the frequency of thesignal generated by the sound generator and the frequency received bythe microphone. In another embodiment an ultrasound sensor can be usedwhere the speaker and microphone are part of one sensor device, and thatsensor device can be coupled to an outer wall of the vacuum sealedchamber, in close proximity to or in audible communication with thespacer 2098.

In another embodiment, where the spacer 2098 is excluded, a temperaturesensor (e.g., thermistor, thermostat), or ultrasound sensor, can becoupled to the outer surface of the base 2026 and one or more wires runthrough the outer wall 2010 with an air-tight seal (if the travel mug isvacuum sealed) or non-airtight seal (if the travel mug is not vacuumsealed) between the dual wall unit to thereby provide temperature and/orliquid level or volume information from the cavity 2018 to theelectronic module 2090.

FIG. 40 shows another embodiment of a travel mug 2100. The travel mug2100 is similar to the travel mug 2000 and can include many of the samefeatures. As such, similar features in the travel mug 2100 and travelmug 2000 have similar numerical identifiers, except that the identifierfor the feature in the travel mug 2100 is prefaced by “21” instead of“20”. The description below therefore focuses on the features of thetravel mug 2100 that differ from the travel mug 2000.

The travel mug 2100 can be a double walled unit with an inner wall 2120and an outer wall 2110. The base 2126 of the inner wall 2120 can haveone or more portions 2126 c that can contact one or more portions 2110 cof a base 2110 b of the outer wall 2110. A temperature sensor (e.g.,thermistor, thermostat) can be connected to the one or more portions2110 c of the base 2110 b to thereby provide a temperature reading ofthe temperature in the cavity 2118. The temperature sensor cancommunicate with the electronic module 2190, which can communicate thesensed temperature information as discussed herein (e.g., communicate itto a user interface of the travel mug 2100, communicate it to anelectronic device, such as a mobile electronic device, via the cloud ora Bluetooth connection). This embodiment advantageously allows obtainingof temperature information from the cavity 2118 in a double walledtravel mug 2100 (e.g., a vacuum sealed mug) without the need to extendwiring through a vacuum chamber in the gap 2128 and without the use of aspacer between the inner wall 2120 and the outer wall 2110 a. In oneembodiment, the inner wall 2120 and surface 2110 a are part of a singlepiece (e.g., monolithic piece) that can be inserted into the body of thetravel mug 2100.

In another embodiment, the contact between the one or more portions 2126c of the inner wall 2100 and one or more portions 2110 c of the outerwall 2110 can alternatively (or additionally) serve as a sound bridgeand allow the sensing of liquid volume or level within the cavity 2118.For example, a sound generator (e.g., an ultrasound generator) can becoupled to the outer surface of the outer wall 2110 c adjacent one ofsaid contacting one or more portions 2126 c of the inner wall 2126 andone or more portions 2110 c of the outer wall 2110 b and generate asignal (e.g., a vibration signal) that can be communicated into theliquid in the cavity 2118. A microphone (e.g., an ultrasound microphone)can be coupled to an outer surface of the outer wall 2110 c adjacentanother of said contacting one or more portions 2126 c of the inner wall2126 and one or more portions 2110 c of the outer wall 2110 b andcommunicate a signal to the electronic module 2190, which coulddetermine a volume (or level) of liquid in the cavity 2118 based on acomparison of the frequency of the signal generated by the soundgenerator and the frequency received by the microphone.

In still another option, not shown, the one or more portions 2126 c canhave an opening defined by an edge that can be coupled (e.g., welded) tothe one or more portions 2110 c of the outer wall 2110 b such that thetemperature or liquid volume/level sensors can be attached to an outersurface of the outer wall 2110 b and so their signals need only passthrough the single wall.

Though the temperature and/or liquid sensing disclosed above may bedescribed in connection with a travel mug 2000, 2100, one of skill inthe art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, cup, mug400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500, breadbasket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure andthe invention is understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware,dishware and serverware.

Bread Basket

FIG. 41 shows a bread basket 2200 that can include many of the featuresdiscussed above with respect to the plate 100, bowl, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100. In particular, the breadbasket 2200 or bread warmer device can include a heating system (notshown), which can include one or more heating elements, an electronicmodule (including a wireless power receiver, control circuitry and/orcharging circuitry), and one or more sensors to sense operatingparameters of the heating system and the temperature of the breadbasket. In one embodiment, the bread basket or bread warmer can have aheating system (e.g. one or more heating elements), one or more powerstorage elements (e.g. battery or capacitor) and a thermostat circuit(or can exclude a thermostat circuit). In this embodiment, the one ormore power storage elements within the bread basket or bread warmer canbe charged via inductive coupling, or other wireless powerconfigurations, or via electrical contacts on the bread basket or breadwarmer, or via a connection cable, or the one or more power storageelements can be removable and charged on a charging station. In anotherembodiment, the power storage elements can be excluded. In thisembodiment, the bread warmer or bread basket can receive power viawireless power or via electrical contacts or a connection cable and canuse said power to activate one or more heating elements within the breadwarmer or bread basket. This embodiment can be used to pre-heat thebread basket or bread warmer, or the electrical connection can bemaintained and the bread basket or bread warmer can stay actively heatedwhile the bread is being served. A thermostat circuit can also be used,optionally, within this embodiment. The operation of the heating systemin the bread basket 2200 or bread warmer can be similar to thatdisclosed herein for other embodiments (e.g., the plate 100; bowl;serving dish; mugs 400; travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100; beer mug1600, etc.).

Tortilla Warmer

FIG. 42 shows a tortilla warmer 2300 that can have a container 2310 anda cover 2320 and can include many of the features discussed above withrespect to the plate 100, bowl, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, 1700A, 2000, 2100. In particular, the tortilla warmer 2300 caninclude a heating system (not shown), which can include one or moreheating elements, an electronic module (including a wireless powerreceiver, control circuitry and/or charging circuitry), and one or moresensors to sense operating parameters of the heating system and thetemperature of the tortilla warmer. In one embodiment, the tortillawarmer can have a heating system (e.g. one or more heating elements),one or more power storage elements (e.g. battery or capacitor) and athermostat circuit (or can exclude a thermostat circuit). In thisembodiment, the one or more power storage elements within the tortillawarmer can be charged via inductive coupling, or other wireless powerconfigurations, or via electrical contacts on the tortilla warmer, orvia a connection cable, or the one or more power storage elements can beremovable and charged on a charging station. In another embodiment, thepower storage elements can be excluded. In this embodiment, the tortillawarmer can receive power via wireless power or via electrical contactsor a connection cable and can use said power to activate one or moreheating elements within the tortilla warmer. This embodiment can be usedto pre-heat the tortilla warmer, or the electrical connection can bemaintained and the tortilla warmer can stay actively heated while thetortillas are being served. A thermostat circuit can also be used,optionally, within this embodiment. The operation of the heating systemin the tortilla warmer 2300 can be similar to that disclosed herein forother embodiments (e.g., the plate 100; bowl; serving dish; mugs 400;travel mugs 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100; beer mug 1600, etc.).

Electric Hand Warmer

FIG. 43 shows one embodiment of a mug 2400 with an electric hand warmer2410. The mug 2400 can have some or all of the same features asdiscussed above for the mug 400, or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2100, 2200,including a heating or cooling system with one or more heating orcooling elements, an electronic module (with a wireless power receiver,control circuitry, and optionally charging circuitry), and optionallyone or more power storage devices (e.g., batteries, capacitors). In theillustrated embodiment, the hand warmer 2410 can have one or moreheating elements 2412 on an outer surface 2414 of the mug 2400 or ahandle (not shown) of the mug 2400, where the one or more heatingelements 2412 (e.g., heater wire, thermoelectric elements, resistiveheaters, etc.) can be activated (e.g., selectively activated orautomatically activated) to warm an outer surface 2414 of the mug 2400,so that the user's hands can be warmed as the user holds the mug 2400.The one or more heating elements 2412 can in one embodiment bedistributed around a portion of the outside circumference of the mug2400 and attached to, coupled to, embedded in or otherwise incorporatedin an outer surface 2414 of the mug 2400 (e.g., disposed beneath anouter layer of the mug 2400). In another embodiment, the one or moreheating elements can be elsewhere within the mug or travel mug and canbe in thermal communication with an outer surface 2410 of the mug ortravel mug (e.g. the heat energy can be conducted to the outer surfacefrom a heat source located anywhere within the mug or travel mug).

In one embodiment, the heat generated from the heating or cooling systemwithin the mug (i.e. the heating or cooling system that actively heatsor cools the liquid within the mug or travel mug) can be used to conductheat to a hand warmer feature (e.g. the heat energy from the heating orcooling system can be conducted to an outer surface 2410 of the mug ortravel mug and act as a hand warmer feature). The hand warmer 2410 canin one embodiment be automatically activated (e.g., via the controlcircuitry of the mug 2400) when the mug 2400 is used, such as when aliquid is poured into the mug 2400 (e.g., when the presence of liquid issensed, as discussed in embodiments herein). In another embodiment, thehand warmer 2410 can be selectively actuated (e.g., turned on, off, orto selected temperature set points such as high, medium, low, or aspecific temperature) by the user via a user interface (such as the userinterface 695, 1710A) on the mug 2400, which communicates the user'sinstructions to the control circuitry of the mug 2400. In still anotherembodiment, the hand warmer 2410 can be selectively actuated (e.g.,turned on, off, or to selected temperature set points such as high,medium, low, or a specific temperature) by the user via a user interfaceon an electronic device (e.g., mobile electronic device such as themobile phone 1750A) that communicates with the mug 2400 (e.g.,communicates with the control circuitry of the mug 2400) via the cloudor a Bluetooth connection. In yet another embodiment, a temperaturesensor on the mug 2400 (e.g., on an outer surface of the mug 2400) cansense the ambient temperature and actuate (e.g., automatically actuatevia the control circuitry) the hand warmer 2410 if the sensed ambienttemperature is below a predetermined set point or range. In oneembodiment, operation of the hand warmer 2410 can be powered by one ormore power storage devices (e.g., batteries, capacitors, etc.). In oneembodiment, a mug or travel mug can have an electric hand warmerfeature, one or more power storage elements (to power the hand warmer)and control circuitry (to turn on or off the hand warmer, or to controlcertain preset temperature setpoints, etc.). In this embodiment, a userinterface can optionally be included, which can allow the user to selectcertain hand warmer operation modes, or temperature modes, or othersettings that effect the operation of the hand warmer feature.

Though the electric hand warmer disclosed above may be described inconnection with a mug 2400, one of skill in the art will recognize thatit can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware orserverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate), including the plate100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200,tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

Chilled Dishware

In one embodiment, a cup, mug, travel mug, beer mug, beverage containeror other liquid container (such as the mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600) can have one or more thermoelectricelements configured to cool the liquid within the cup, mug, travel mug,beer mug, beverage container or other liquid container, one or moreheatsinks thermally coupled to said one or more thermoelectric elements,and an active cooling device (such as a fan, diaphragm, etc.) which canmove air across said one or more heatsinks. This airflow canadvantageously increase the productivity of the one or morethermoelectric elements and can create a colder beverage temperaturewithin the cup, mug, travel mug, beer mug, beverage container or otherliquid container. In one embodiment, the cooling fan can be a waterresistant or water proof cooling fan and air flow can be ducted to thelocation of the heatsink. The use of a waterproof or water resistantcooling fan can enable the creation of a dishwasher safe or water safecup, mug, travel mug, beer mug, beverage container or other liquidcontainer. In another embodiment, a water resistant or water proofdiaphragm can be used to create said airflow. The cup, mug, travel mug,beer mug, beverage container or other liquid container described in thisparagraph can include any of the features described above or below ofthe plate 100; bowl; serving dish; mug 400; travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000,2100; beer mug 1600, etc. (e.g. power storage elements, wirelesscommunications, wireless power, user-interface, electronics module,etc.).

Wand

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can be actuatedwith a wand 1000 (see FIG. 19) that can be waived over one or more ofthe plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cupsor liquid containers to turn the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660on or off, or to set a desired temperature or turn on or off otherfeatures For example, when a plurality of plates 100 (or bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers) are laidout and arranged on a counter (e.g., kitchen counter) or a table, thewand 1000 can be passed over the plates 100 (or bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers) to turn theheating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 on or off, or to set anoperating parameter of the one or more plates 100 (or bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers), asdescribed below. The one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can have a receiver(e.g., an RF receiver) that can receive a signal (e.g., RF signal) fromthe wand 1000 as the wand 1000 passes over them. In another embodiment,the wand 1000 can transmit at a certain frequency, or using a magnet ormagnetic field that changes a state in the electronics of the one ormore plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cupsor liquid containers that can, for example, communicate instructions tothe one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, cups or liquid containers (e.g., via the electric module 90, 490,690) to turn on. In one embodiment, the wand 1000 and one or more plates100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers can form an inductive loop that when the wand gets close tothe plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cupsor liquid containers (e.g., within 3-6 inches, or less than 3 inches, ormore than 6 inches), the inductive loop being charged (e.g., RFIDpassive loop sensing). The RFID loop in the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers can be energized when the wand 1000 passes over it, changingthe state of the electronics from a first state to a second state toturn the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travelmugs 600, cups or liquid containers on, or to turn on a wirelessreceiver which can then receive a signal from the wand 1000 with a givencommand (e.g. temperature mode setting, etc.).

In another embodiment, the wand 1000 can be used to communicateoperational information or instructions to the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers. For example, the wand 1000 can be used to communicate one ormore predetermined temperature setpoints or power settings. For example,the wand 1000 can have a user interface 1010 allowing the user to selecta predetermined temperature setpoint or power setting and to communicatethe information to the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers as the wand 1000 iswaved over them. Additionally, the wand 1000 can be used to turn on oroff limited function modes (as described further below) on one or moreof the plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,cups or liquid containers. More generally, the wand 1000 can perform adata upload to, and/or data download from, the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers.

In one embodiment, the wand 1000 can transmit an RF signal at a certainfrequency to transmit instructions to the one or more plates 100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers. Inother embodiments, the wand 1000 can transmit in other frequencies tothe one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs600, cups or liquid containers.

In another embodiment, the wand 1000 can communicate with the one ormore plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cupsor liquid containers via IR or other types of optical transmission.

Though the wand 1000 disclosed above may be described in connection witha plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill in the art willrecognize that it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/orliquid container), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300,1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

User Interface

FIG. 20 shows another embodiment of a plate 1100, bowl or serving dish.The plate 1100 is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′ describedabove and includes the same components (with the same numericalidentifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,except as noted below.

In one embodiment, the plate 1100, bowl or serving dish (or mug 400,travel mug 600, cup, or liquid container) can have a user interface 1110that can include one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons 1120electrically connected to the electronic module 90, 490, 690 to operatethe heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655. For example, the one or moresoft touch or touch switch buttons 1120 can be actuated by a user (e.g.,can sense the electricity or resistance in the user's body when touched,such as capacitive touch sensing) to turn on or off the one or moreheating elements 60, 460, 600 of the plate 1100, bowl, or serving dish(or mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container). In anotherembodiment, the one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons 1120 canbe actuated to provide a predetermined temperature setpoint (e.g., low,medium, high, or specific temperature settings) to the one or moreheating elements 60, 460, 600 in the one or more plates 1100, bowls, orserving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers.For example, the one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons 1120 canoperate like a toggle switch, where the user can touch the button 1120one time to turn the heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655 on, touch ita second time to set the operation of the heating or cooling element 60,60, 660 to a first level (e.g., low), touch a third time to set theoperation of the heating or cooling element 60, 60, 660 to a secondlevel (e.g., medium), touch a fourth time to set the operation of theheating or cooling element 60, 60, 660 to a third level (e.g., high),and touch a fifth time to turn the heating or cooling element 60, 460,660 off. In another embodiment, the first touch of the soft touch ortouch switch button 1120 can both turn the heating or cooling system 55,455, 655 on and set the operation of the heating or cooling element 60,60, 660 to the first level (e.g., low). The user-interface controls onthe plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup orliquid container can also be other suitable user-interface mechanismssuch as a push-button switch, slide switch, rocker switch, dial orwheel, etc.

With respect to the one or more plates 1100, bowls or serving dishes,the one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons 1120 can be locatedon a rim 1130 of the plate 1100, bowl or serving dish. In oneembodiment, the one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons 1120 onthe plate 1100, bowl or serving dish can be a set of three soft touchbuttons on the rim 1130 of the plate 1100, bowl or serving dish and caneach be backlit (e.g., with white light). The three soft touch buttons1120 can correspond to different operating levels (e.g., low, medium,high) or temperatures (e.g., 130° F., 165° F., 200° F.) at which theheating or cooling element 60, 60′ of the plate 1100, bowl or servingdish is to operate when the button 1120 is actuated. In one embodiment,multiple soft touch or touch switch buttons 830 can be located along theperiphery of the plate 800′ or serving dish, each button 830 associatedwith one of a plurality of heating or cooling elements 860A-860D (e.g.,where different sections, such as quadrants, of the plate 800′, bowl orserving dish have separate heating or cooling elements 860A-860Dassociated with them), as shown in FIG. 17. In one embodiment, the userinterface 1110 on the one or more plates 1100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can include one ormore visual indicators 1140 (e.g., located on a rim 1130 of the plate1100, bowl or serving dish or located on the side or top of a cup, mug400, travel mug 600 or liquid container) that can indicate an operatingcondition or parameter of the one or more plates 1100, bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers. Forexample, the one or more visual indicators 1140 can display operatinginformation, such as charge level, power level, selected temperature,etc. The visual indicator 1140 can be one or more of an LED, glowinglight, or digital screen; however, other suitable visual indicators canbe used. In one embodiment, the user interface can be behind a tintedsemi-transparent layer of plastic so that when the screen goes dark, theuser interface screen is unnoticeable as it is behind the layer ofplastic. When the screen is activated by the electronic module 90, 490,690, it illuminates through the translucent plastic layer (e.g., tintedplastic or frosted plastic or colored plastic). The screen can beautomatically activated when liquid is sensed in the mug 400, travel mug600, cup or liquid container or when food is sensed on the plate, bowlor serving dish and can display one or more parameters (e.g. liquidtemperature or food temperature or user-selected temperature mode). Theuser interface on the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travelmug 600, cup or liquid container can have one or more buttons (e.g.,soft touch buttons) that the user can toggle to change the operation ofthe heating or cooling system 55, 455, 655. For example, the user cantoggle the one or more buttons to change the power level or temperaturesetting for the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660, or to changebetween different operating functions of the plate 1100, bowl, servingdish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container. In anotherembodiment, the user can press and hold the button to increase thetemperature setting for the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup or liquid container, which can increase inpredetermined temperature increments (e.g., 5° F. increments) until amaximum temperature setting is reached, after which continued pressingof the button can cause the temperature setting to begin incrementingagain from the minimum temperature setting. Once the user stops pressingthe button, the operating temperature will be set for the heating orcooling element 60, 460, 660 in the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container.

As discussed above, the one or more buttons (e.g., buttons 1120) can bepressed to toggle between different functions, one of which can be thetemperature setting for the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup or liquid container. Toggling the button again canhave the electronic module 90, 490, 690 display on the user interfacethe charge level of the one or more batteries 80, 480, 680 in the plate1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer. Toggling again the button can have the electronic module 90,490, 690 display the Bluetooth pairing mode, or allow the user to pairthe plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup orliquid container to a desired mobile electronic device (e.g., bypressing and holding the button). Once paired, the mobile electronicdevice can then receive information (e.g., temperature, battery chargelevel, liquid level) from the plate 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup or liquid container, as well as transmit instruction(e.g., temperature setting, power setting, on or off, etc.) to the plate1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer.

In one embodiment, the one or more soft touch or touch switch buttons(such as buttons 1120 in FIG. 20) can glow or be lit once actuated by auser to signify that the associated heating or cooling element 60, 460,660 is operating. For example, the soft touch or touch switch buttonscan be backlit (e.g., with one or more LEDs or electroluminescence orOLEDs). Similarly, the soft touch or touch switch buttons can be unlitor not glow when the associated heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660is not in operation. In another embodiment, the electronic module 90,490, 690 can additionally (or alternatively) cause an audible sound(e.g., from a piezo speaker incorporated into the one or more plates1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers) to be generated when the user presses the one or more softtouch or touch switch buttons (or any other type of button, dial orswitch).

Though the user interface disclosed above may be described in connectionwith a plate 1100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill in the artwill recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′,900, 1300, 1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, babybottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scopeof disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Actuation

In one embodiment, the electronic module 90 can control the heating orcooling system 55 of the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers to actuate or turnon when they are removed from their associated charging station, such asthe charging station 1700 described below. For example, in oneembodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can have a sensor (e.g.,proximity sensor, magnet, electrical current removal detector, etc.) incommunication with the electronic module 90, 490, 690, where theproximity sensor sends a signal to the electronic module 90, 490, 690when the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup orliquid container is removed from the charging stand, and the electronicmodule 90, 490, 690 turns on power to the heating or cooling element 60,60′, 460, 660 based at least in part on said signal. In anotherembodiment, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 can place the one or moreplates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups orliquid containers in standby mode when removed from the charging stand,but does not turn on the one or more heating or cooling elements 60,60′, 460, 660, which can thereafter be turned on, for example, via useractuation of the one or more soft touch buttons (such as the buttons830, 1120), use of a wireless remote control or mobile electronicdevice, or wand 1000, or liquid or food sensing as described in theembodiments above.

Though the actuation functionality disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill inthe art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600,baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and thescope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Charging Station

FIGS. 21-24 show one embodiment of a charging station 1700 or chargingstand. In one embodiment, the charging station 1700 can have a userinterface 1710 that communicates with the electronic module 90, 490, 690in the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers. For example, the userinterface 1710 on the charging station 1700 can be actuated by the userto set one or more operating parameters of the one or more plates 100,1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers, such as user selected predetermined temperature setpoints orpower setting modes.

With respect to the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or servingdishes, the user can actuate one or more buttons on the charging station1700 that holds a plurality of plates 100, 1100 (e.g., be a chargingstand that holds the plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes instacked form, as shown in FIG. 23, such as suspended from a base surfaceof the charging station). The user can set the desired operatingtemperature or power level for each of the plurality of plates 100,1100, bowls or serving dishes (e.g., set either individually for eachplate 100, bowl or serving dish, or set for all plates 100, bowls orserving dishes at once with one command), said instructions communicatedfrom the user interface 1710 on the charging stand 1700 to theelectronic module 90 in the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes (e.g., via wireless communication such as RF, or viaelectrical contacts on the charging station 1700 that interface withcorresponding electrical contacts on the plates, bowls or servingdishes, such as contacts 46′″ in FIG. 3A). Subsequently, when the one ormore plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes are removed from thecharging station 1700 (as shown in FIG. 24), the electronic module 90can automatically turn the heating or cooling element 60, 60′ in the oneor more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes on to the pre-selectedtemperature or power setting (e.g., low, medium, high) previouslyselected by the user via the interface 1710 (e.g., stored in a memory,such as Flash memory on the electronic module 90, 490, 690) while theone or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes were on thecharging station 1700.

In another embodiment, the user can actuate one or more buttons on thecharging station 1700 while the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes are positioned on the charging station 1700 to instructat least one of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or servingdishes to not turn on when the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes is removed from the charging station 1700, allowing theheating or cooling system 55 in the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowlsor serving dishes to remain off, or in a standby mode when removed fromthe charging station 1700. The user can then separately turn on theheating or cooling element 60, 60′ in the one or more plates 100, 1100,bowls or serving dishes (e.g., via actuation of the one or more softtouch buttons on the plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes, use ofthe wireless remote control or mobile electronic device, or via thewand, as described above). In another embodiment, the user-interfacebuttons 1710 on the charging station 1700 can be used to put the one ormore plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes into a given mode (e.g.temperature mode or power level mode) or to activate other featureswithin the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes. Inanother embodiment, the user-interface 1710 on the charging station 1700can be used to communicate certain information to the one or more plates100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes (e.g. the username of a user,favorite setting, icon selection, the ambient temperature, etc.) Inanother embodiment, the user can actuate one or more buttons 1710 on thecharging station 1700 while the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes are not on the charging station 1700 (e.g. the plate orplates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes are on the counter or on thedinner table and the user can turn one or more of the plates 100, 1100,bowls or serving dishes on from the charging station 1700 via an RFtransmitter in the charging station 1700). In this embodiment, thecharging station 1700 operates as a wireless remote to control the oneor more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes. Said buttons orinterface 1710 on the charging station 1700 can be a soft touch button,touch switch, push button switch, slider switch, dial or any other meansof user-interface control. The charging base 1700 and charging basefunctions described in this paragraph can also be for other embodimentsof the invention such as one or more bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers.

The user interface 1710 on the charging station 1700 can have one ormore visual indicators 1720 showing a charging status or level (e.g.,percentage of battery power) of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowlsor serving dishes positioned on the charging station 1700 (e.g., onevisual charging indicator for each plate 100, 1100, bowl or servingdish). For example, the charging station 1700 can have a plurality ofvisual indicators 1720, each associated with one plate 100, 1100, bowlor serving dish positioned on the charging station 1700, and showing thecharging status or level for the battery 80 of the associated plate 100,1100, bowl or serving dish. The one or more visual indicators 1720 canalso show the user selected temperature setpoint or power level for theone or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes on the chargingstation 1700. A charging station for the mug 400 or travel mug 600 canhave a similar user interface and one or more visual indicators.

In one embodiment, the charging station 1700 or stand that can hold aplurality of plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes (e.g., can holdfour plates, or more, or less) can charge the plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes via one or more direct electrical connections between thecharging station 1700 and the plates 100. In another embodiment, thecharging station 1700 or stand can charge the plates 100, 1100, bowls orserving dishes via inductive coupling, as discussed above. In oneembodiment, the charging station can have an inductive coupling column1740 (e.g., a vertically oriented inductive coupling system), with oneor more inductive coupling transmitters 1730 that inductively couplewith a plurality of plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes positionedon the charging station 1700 or stand. In one embodiment, the pluralityof inductive coupling transmitters 1730 can be in a linear array, as tointerface with a plurality of plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes.

The charging station 1700 can have a plurality of inductive couplingtransmitters 1730, e.g., in the shape of a slanted ledge 1732, whereeach transmitter 1730 can couple to at least a portion of an underside(e.g., an underside of the rim) of a corresponding plate 100, 1100, bowlor serving dish (as shown in FIGS. 23-24) on the charging station 1700to inductively couple to the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish.However in other embodiments, the inductive coupling transmitters 1730can have other shapes and can inductively couple to other areas of acorresponding plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish (e.g., an edge ofthe plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish, a bottom of the plate 100,1100, bowl or serving dish, a cylindrical female/male port within theplate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish, or other section of the plate100, 1100, bowl or serving dish). In another embodiment, the inductivecoupling charging station or stand can be in a horizontal orientation,so that the plurality of plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes canbe vertically oriented similar to the way a plate sits in thedishwasher. In another embodiment, the inductive coupling chargingstation can be integrated into a dishwasher so that the plates 100,1100, bowls or serving dishes can be charged while they are in thedishwasher. The charging station and charging station functionsdescribed in this paragraph can also be for other embodiments of theinvention such as one or more bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travelmugs 600, cups or liquid containers.

In another embodiment, the charging station (e.g. 300, 500, 700, 1700)can be sized to accommodate one plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup or liquid container, respectively. The chargingstation can have one or more visual indicators, which can indicate anoperating condition of the charging station and/or plate 100, bowl,serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container. Forexample, the one or more visual indicators can be an indicator lightthat illuminates when the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travelmug 600, cup or liquid container is charging, or has completed itscharging, or an indicator to illustrate the current percentage of chargelevel.

Though the charging station and charging station functions disclosedabove may be described in connection with a plate 100, 1100, one ofskill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400, travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100,2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortillawarmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention isunderstood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware. Additionally, though the charging station functionsdisclosed above are described in connection with the charging station1700 one of skill in the art will recognize that these functions canalso apply to the charging base 200, 300, 500, and 700.

Preheat Mode

In one embodiment, the charging station 1700 can have one or morebuttons 1710 (e.g., three buttons) on its user interface 1710 fordifferent temperature setpoints (e.g., 130° F., 165° F., 200° F.) oroperating levels (e.g., low, medium, high), which can be actuated by theuser to initiate a preheat mode for the one or more plates 100, 1100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers positioned on the charging station 1700 or stand. In oneembodiment, the one or more buttons 1710 can control a preheat featurefor all of the plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travelmugs 600, cups or liquid containers positioned on the charging stand1700 (e.g., control all simultaneously). In another embodiment, separatesets of buttons can be provided on the charging station 1700, each setof buttons associated with one charging location that receives one plate100, 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer thereon for charging on the charging station.

Once a user presses the one or more preheat buttons 1710 on the chargingstation 1700, the charging station 1700 will communicate instructions tothe electronic module 90 of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers toturn on the heating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 to the user selectedtemperature or power level mode. In said preheat mode, power to theheating or cooling element 60, 460, 660 in the plates 100, 1100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers canbe provided by the charging station 1700 (e.g., via inductive couplingor electrical contacts), rather than from the one or more batteries 80,480, 680 within the plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers, thereby conserving batterypower. Once the desired preheat temperature has been obtained, a visualindicator light 1720 on the charging station 1700 can change color(e.g., change to a green light) to indicate to the user that thepre-selected preheat temperature has been obtained and that the plates100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups orliquid containers can be removed. Other suitable indicators can be usedto indicate to the user that the selected preheat temperature has beenobtained (e.g. audible sound, flashing light, digital screen with amessage or an icon, glowing icon, etc.).

Once the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers are removed from the chargingstation 1700, the electronic module 90, 490, 690 can operate the heatingor cooling element 60, 460, 660 with the one or more electrical energystorage elements (e.g., batteries) 80, 480, 680 to maintain a userselected temperature. In another embodiment, the one or more plates 100,1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers need not have an energy storage device, and can receive itspower from the charging station 1700 (e.g. via inductive coupling orelectrical contacts) for the purpose of preheating the one or moreplates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cupsor liquid containers. Once removed from the charging station 1700 (orpreheat station) the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers wouldeventually cool down over time, in accordance with the heat dissipationcharacteristics of the material of the plate 100, 1100, bowl, servingdish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquid container. Thermalmaterials can be used to prolong the amount of time that the plate 100,1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer stays hot (e.g. phase change material, etc.). In oneembodiment, the said plate 100, 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400,travel mug 600, cup or liquid container can have an inductive couplingreceiver and a heating or cooling element (e.g., heating or coolingelement 60). In another embodiment, there can be other circuitry in thesaid plate 100, 1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cupor liquid container such as a temperature sensor (e.g., the temperaturesensors 820A-820D, 920) and an electronics module (e.g., electronicmodule 90) which can regulate the temperature of the heating or coolingelement. In another embodiment, the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containerswould receive different levels of power from the charging station(preheat station) based on a user-selected temperature or power setting.

The one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can also have a visualindicator light (e.g., on a side wall or an edge or rim, such as visualindicator light 1140 on plate 1100)) to indicate when the plate 100,1100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600, cup or liquidcontainer is in preheat mode on the charging station 1700 (e.g., a redlight, or a glowing icon or a flashing light), or when the preheat modehas been completed and the desired temperature has been obtained (e.g.,a green light or a glowing icon, or flashing light, etc.).

Though the preheat mode disclosed above may be described in connectionwith a plate 100, 1100 mug 400 or travel mug 600, one of skill in theart will recognize that it can also apply to any liquid container,drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate,cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1300, 1400, cup, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, babybottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300 etc. and the scopeof disclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware. Additionally, though thepreheat mode disclosed above is described in connection with thecharging station 1700 one of skill in the art will recognize that thisfeature can also apply to the charging base 200, 300, 500, and 700.

Limited Function Mode

In one embodiment, the charging station 1700 can have one or morelimited function switches 1750 that can be actuated by the user to limitthe function of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or servingdishes associated with the charging location on the charging station1700 or stand. In one embodiment, the limited function switch 1750 candisable one or more operating temperatures or modes of the plate 100,1100 (e.g., via communication of instructions from the charging station1700 to the electronic module 90 of the one or more plates 100, 1100,bowls or serving dishes). For example, the limited function switch 1750can disable a high and medium operating temperature or power level inthe plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes, thereby allowing theplates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes to operate in only a lowoperating temperature or power level. Such a limited function mode canbe used, for example, when the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dishwill hold food for a child (to inhibit the risk of injury). In anotherembodiment, the limited function switch 1750 can also (or alternatively)be located on the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishesthemselves (e.g., can be a soft touch, touch switch button or any othertype of switch on a rim of the plate 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishesor underneath the plate, bowl or serving dish). In one embodiment, theone or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes can have a visualindicator (e.g., a backlit icon, glowing light, or other indicator onthe rim or other location of the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish,such as indicator 1150 on plate 1100) that can indicate whether thelimited function mode is turned on.

In one embodiment, at least one of the one or more limited functionswitches 1750 on the charging station 1700 can be a two position sliderswitch on a surface (e.g., a back surface) of the charging station 1700that can be used as a child lock switch. The switch can be actuatedbetween a “Child lock On” and a “Child lock Off” state. The “Child lockOn” state can limit the power level or temperature in one or more of theplates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes on the charging station 1700to the low power level or temperature (e.g., via communication with theelectronic module 90), and a padlock icon on the plate, such as thepadlock icon 1150 of plate 1100, bowl or serving dish in FIG. 20 (e.g.,on the front side of the plate) can be illuminated (e.g., greenbacklight) when the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish is removedfrom the charging station 1700 to illustrate that the plate 100, 1100,bowl or serving dish is in Child lock mode. If the user then touches thebutton (e.g., soft touch button, such as the soft touch button 1120 ofplate 1100) associated with the low power level or temperature (e.g.,130° F.), the electronic module 90 will turn the heating or coolingelement 60 on and operate it at that level. If the user touches anotherbutton (e.g., soft touch button, such as the soft touch button 1120 ofplate 1100) on the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish to try tochange the mode of operation of the plate 100, 1100, bowl or servingdish to a higher temperature setting, the electronic module 90 willcause the glowing child lock icon to flash or strobe to indicate to theuser that the child lock is on and that the plate 100, 1100, bowl orserving dish cannot be changed to a higher temperature mode. In oneembodiment, a user can disable the child lock mode on the plate 100,1100, bowl or serving dish as discussed further below by entering, forexample, an unlock combination button-push sequence (e.g., pushing thetemperature mode buttons in a specific order). Once the plate 100, 1100,bowl or serving dish is again placed on the charging station 1700, andthe child lock switch 1750 (or limited function switch) on the chargingstation 1700 is on, the charging station 1700 will communicateinstructions to the electronic module 90 of the plate 100, 1100, bowl orserving dish to again turn on the child lock mode back on, so that thenext time the plate 100, 1100, bowl or serving dish is removed from thecharging station 1700 it will again be in child lock mode.

In one embodiment, limited function mode (e.g., child lock mode) can bemanually disabled or overridden in one or more ways (e.g. by pushing andholding predetermined buttons for a period of time, or pushing acombination of buttons in a predetermined sequence on the chargingstation or one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls or serving dishes). Inanother embodiment, the limited function mode can be actuated ordisabled using a wireless remote control, mobile electronic device orwand, as discussed above.

Though the user limited function mode and child lock mode featuresdisclosed above may be described in connection with a plate 100, 1100,one of skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to anyliquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, servingdish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate,100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1300, 1400, mug 400 or travel mug 600, 1700A,2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200,tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the inventionis understood to cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware andserverware.

Water Tight and Dishwasher Safe

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can be water tight,thereby inhibiting damage to the electronic and electrical components.In one embodiment the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can be submersibleup to 1 meter. However, in other embodiments, the one or more plates100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers can be submersible to depths lower or greater than this.

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can be constructedso as to withstand temperatures of up to 200° F., thereby being suitablefor cleaning in high temperature dishwashers, including commercialdishwashers with a sanitation cycle of about 180° F. In anotherembodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can be sealed (e.g., via thebottom portion or member 40, 440, 640) so as to inhibit exposure of theelectronics and electrical components to liquids (e.g., chemical bathduring cleaning in a dishwasher).

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100, bowls, serving dishes,mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquid containers can include liquidshielding technology to protect the circuitry and electrical componentsfrom water damage. For example, DRYWIRED™, LIQUIPEL™ or HZO WATERBLACK™can be used to protect the electronics in the one or more plates 100,bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups or liquidcontainers. Such liquid sealing technology can be used in addition to,or instead of the one or more water tight sealed compartments orcavities in the plate 100, bowl, serving dish, mug 400, travel mug 600,cup or liquid container.

Though the water tight and dishwasher safe features disclosed above maybe described in connection with a plate 100, mug 400 or travel mug 600,one of skill in the art will recognize that it can also apply to anyliquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, servingdish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′,800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400,baby bottle 1500, beer mug 1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer2300, etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understoodto cover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Bottom Glow

In one embodiment, the one or more plates 100 can have a visualindicator on the bottom of the plates 100, which are illuminated (e.g.,controlled by the electronic module 90) when the heating or coolingelement 60, 60′ is in operation. For example, a multicolor LED (e.g., ina graphic LED grid) can be provided on the base of each of the plates100 and when the one or more plates 100 are placed on a counter, the LEDcauses a soft glow to radiate (e.g., at a plurality of differentbrightness levels) from under each plate 100. The electronic module 90can control the operation of the multicolor LED to glow in a first color(e.g., red) when the heating or cooling element 60 is on, to glow in asecond color when the plate 100, bowl or serving dish is in a standbymode, or to glow in a third color when the plate 100, bowl or servingdish is in a preheat mode (described above) on the charging station. Inanother embodiment, the lighting on the underside of the plate can beone color only.

Though the preheat mode disclosed above may be described in connectionwith a plate 100, one of skill in the art will recognize that it canalso apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware(e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquid container),including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, mug 400 ortravel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Hot Plate or Cooled Plate

FIGS. 25-26 show one embodiment of a hot or cooled plate 1200. The hotor cooled plate 1200 is similar to the plate 100, 100′ described aboveand includes the same components (with the same numerical identifiers)and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′ described above, exceptas noted below.

The hot or cooled plate 1200 can have a generally flat top surface 1220Aand can receive thereon one or more plates, bowls, serving dishes, mugs,travel mugs, cups or liquid containers (e.g., conventional dishware ordrinkware) to heat the dishware or drinkware (e.g., before or after ithas received a hot food item (e.g., steak)), or to chill the dishware ordrinkware (e.g., before or after it has received a cold food item (e.g.,salad)). The hot or cooled plate 1200 can operate in a similar manner asthe plate 100, 100′ and can have one or more of the features disclosedin connection with the description of the operation of the plate 100,100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, or baby bottle 1500. For example, thehot or cooled plate 1200 can interface with a charging station, in asimilar manner as the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, and beactuated by a wand 1000 or other remote control mechanism or mobileelectronic device.

Removable Battery Pack

FIGS. 27 and 28 show another embodiment of a plate 1300, bowl or servingdish. The plate 1300 is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900described above and includes the same components (with the samenumerical identifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, except as noted below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 1300 can have a removablebattery pack 80′ that removably couples to a bottom of the plate 1300.In one embodiment, the battery pack 80′ can have an electrical contact82′ that contacts an electrical contact 1330 on the plate 1300 toelectrically connect the battery pack 80′ to the plate 1300 (e.g., toprovide power to the electronic module 90, including the controllercircuit 94 and charging circuit 96, and the heating or cooling element60). In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical contact 82′ is ringshaped; however, the electrical contact 82′ can have other shapes. Inone embodiment, the electrical contact 82′ can be an electrical contactstrip (e.g., a gold plated electrical contact strip), though in otherembodiments the electrical contact 82′ can have other suitable types ormade of other suitable materials. Advantageously, the electrical contact82′ is shaped so that the electrical connection between the battery pack80′ and plate 1300 can be provided irrespective of the rotationalorientation of the battery pack 80′ when coupled to the plate 1300.

The battery pack 80′ can have a threaded portion 84′ that can mate witha threaded portion 1340 in a bottom of the plate 1300 to mechanicallycouple the battery pack 80′ to the plate 1300. However, other suitablemechanisms can be used to mechanically couple the battery pack 80′ tothe plate 1300 (e.g., tab and groove structure, press-fit connection).The battery pack 80′ can have a user handle or grip member 86′ to allowthe user to hold and couple the battery pack 80′ to the plate 1300.

The threaded connection between the battery pack 80′ and the plate 1300can substantially seal the bottom of the plate 1300 in a water tightmanner, as discussed above. In one embodiment, the battery pack 80′ canbe sized to define substantially the entire base of the plate 1300 whencoupled to the plate 1300. In another embodiment, the battery pack 80′can be sized to define only a portion of the base (e.g., less than theentire base) of the plate 1300.

Though the battery pack feature disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 1300, one of skill in the art will recognizethat it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware orserverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquidcontainer), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, mug 400or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Removable Base

FIGS. 29-30 show another embodiment of a plate 1400, bowl or servingdish. The plate 1400 is similar to the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900described above and includes the same components (with the samenumerical identifiers) and features disclosed for the plate 100, 100′,800, 800′, 900, except as noted below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the plate 1400 can have a bottom portion(or base) 40′ that can be removably coupled to a bottom of the plate1400 to substantially seal a compartment or cavity 50 in the bottom ofthe plate 1400 that houses the heating or cooling system 55, includingthe insulative member 70 and one or more electrical energy storagedevices 80 (e.g., batteries). In the illustrated embodiment, the bottomportion 40′ can be removably coupled to the bottom of the plate 1400with one or more fasteners 46′ (e.g., screws, bolts, pins, or othersuitable fasteners). In one embodiment, the one or more fasteners 46′can extend through the bottom portion 40′ and couple to a couplingmember 56′ (e.g., female threaded portion, grommet) in the body 1410 ofthe plate 1400. The bottom portion 40′ can couple to the body 1410 ofthe plate 1400 so as to substantially seal the bottom of the plate 1300in a water tight manner, as discussed above.

Though the removable feature disclosed above may be described inconnection with a plate 1400, one of skill in the art will recognizethat it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishware orserverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquidcontainer), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, mug 400or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, baby bottle 1500, beer mug1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Liquid Container (e.g., Baby Bottle)

FIGS. 31-32 show another embodiment of a liquid container 1500. In theillustrated embodiment, the liquid container 1500 is a baby bottle. Theliquid container 1500 is similar to the mug 400 and travel mug 600described above and includes the same components (with the samenumerical identifiers) and features disclosed for the mug 400 and travelmug 600 described above, except as noted below.

The baby bottle 1500 can have a body 1510 that defines a liquid holdingchamber 1518 therein and a bottom surface 1520. The baby bottle 1500 canhave a heating or cooling system 1555, similar to the heating or coolingsystem 455, 655 described above, and have a heating or cooling element1560, an insulative member 1570, one or more electrical energy storagedevices 1580 and an electronic module 1590, which can include a wirelesspower receiver 1592, a control circuitry 1594 and a charging circuit1596. The heating or cooling system 1555 can function in the same way asdescribed above for the heating or cooling system 55, 155, 655. Inanother embodiment, the baby bottle 1500 can have one or more electricalcontacts (e.g., electrical contacts on a surface of the baby bottle1500) that can contact electrical contacts on a charging station forproviding electrical power to one or more components in the baby bottle1500 (e.g., to the one or more energy storage devices 1580 to chargethem, to the heating or cooling element 1560, etc.).

The heating or cooling system 1555 can be housed in a chamber or cavity1550 in the body 1510 of the baby bottle 1500, where in one embodimentat least a portion of the heating or cooling system 1555 (e.g., the oneor more electrical energy storage devices 1580, such as batteries) canbe accessed via a removable bottom portion 1540 (or base) that canremovably couple to a bottom of the baby bottle 1500. The bottom portion1540 can couple to the body 1510 of the baby bottle 1500 so as tosubstantially seal the bottom of the baby bottle 1500 in a water tightmanner, as discussed above. In another embodiment, the bottom portion ofthe baby bottle 1500 can be excluded or it can be sealed to the body1510 of the baby bottle 1500 so that the electronics, power storagedevices 1580 or heating or cooling system 1555 are sealed within thebody 1510 and not accessible.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection witha liquid container or baby bottle 1500, one of skill in the art willrecognize that it can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware,dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/orliquid container), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100,1300, 1400, mug 400 or travel mug 600, 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beer mug1600, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware. Additionally, one ofskill in the art will recognize that the liquid container 1500 or babybottle can incorporate any of the features or components disclosed inthis application (e.g., the features or components disclosed inembodiments above in connection with a plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900,1100, 1300, 1400, or mug 400 or travel mug 600, 600′, 600″).

Travel Mug

In another embodiment, a travel mug, such as the travel mug 600, 600′,600″, cup, mug or liquid container can only have one or more temperaturesensors (such as the sensor 820A-820D, 920) for sensing the temperatureof the liquid in the travel mug, mug, cup or liquid container (e.g.,sensing the temperature at the bottom or on a side surface of the innerchamber of the travel mug, mug, cup, liquid container). In thisembodiment, the one or more temperature sensors can communicate thesensed temperature information to a visual indicator (e.g., digitaldisplay, one or more lights, such as LED lights, glowing icon, includingthe indicator types disclosed above) on a surface of the travel mug,mug, cup, liquid container viewable by the user to communicate thetemperature information to the user. In this embodiment, the travel mug,mug, cup, or liquid container can exclude the heating or cooling systemand can only have the one or more temperature sensors and one or morevisual indicators.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection witha travel mug, mug, cup, or liquid container (such as the mug 400, andtravel mug 600), one of skill in the art will recognize that thisembodiment can also apply to any liquid container, drinkware, dishwareor serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish, hot plate, cup and/or liquidcontainer), including the plate 100, 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300,1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, beer mug 1600, baby bottle 1500,bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc. and the scope ofdisclosure and the invention is understood to cover such liquidcontainers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Method of Remote Control Operation

FIG. 33 shows one embodiment of a method 1900 of operating the one ormore plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,cups, and liquid containers. In the illustrated embodiment, a remotecontrol or mobile electronic device can be paired 1910 with one or moreplates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600,cups, and liquid containers. The remote control or mobile electronicdevice can then receive one or more instructions from a user 1920regarding the operation of the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls,serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, and liquid containers.The remote control or mobile electronic device can then transmit 1930said one or more instructions to the paired one or more plates 100,1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, and liquidcontainers. The one or more instructions can then be performed 1940 bythe one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, and liquid containers. Additionally, the remotecontrol or mobile electronic device can receive 1950 information fromthe one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400,travel mugs 600, cups, and liquid containers (e.g., sensed foodtemperature, battery charge or level, current temperature setting,etc.). Optionally, an application can be loaded 1960 onto the remotecontrol or mobile electronic device to allow the remote control ormobile electronic device to interface with the one or more plates 100,1100, bowls, serving dishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, cups, and liquidcontainers.

FIG. 44 shows a block diagram of a communication system for the devicesdescribed herein (e.g., the one or more plates 100, 1100, bowls, servingdishes, mugs 400, travel mugs 600, 1700, 2100, 2200, 2400, cups, liquidcontainers such as beer mugs 1600 and baby bottles 1500, bread basket2200, tortilla warmer 2300, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, theelectronic module EM (such as the electronic module disclosed herein forthe plates, cups, mugs, travel mugs, liquid containers, beer mugs, babybottles, bread basket, tortilla warmer, etc.) can receive sensedinformation from one or more sensors S1-Sn (e.g., liquid level sensors,liquid volume sensors, temperature sensors, battery charge sensors,drink quality sensors, tilt sensors or gyroscopes). The electronicmodule EM can also receive information from and transmit information(e.g., instructions) to one or more heating or cooling elements HC(e.g., to operate each of the heating or cooling elements in a heatingmode, in a cooling mode, turn off, turn on, vary power output of, etc.)and optionally to one or more power storage devices PS (e.g., batteries,such as to charge the batteries or manage the power provided by thebatteries to the one or more heating or cooling elements). Theelectronic module EM can also communicate with a wireless powertransmitter WPT (e.g., an inductive power transmitter). The electronicmodule EM can also communicate with (e.g., transmit information to andreceive information, such as user instructions from, a user interfaceUI1 on the unit (e.g., on the body of the plates, cups, mugs, travelmugs, liquid containers, beer mugs, baby bottles, bread basket, tortillawarmer, etc.). The electronic module EM can also communicate with anelectronic device ED (e.g., a mobile electronic device such as a mobilephone, PDA, tablet computer, laptop computer, electronic watch; or adesktop computer) via the cloud CL or via a wireless communicationsystem such as Bluetooth BT. The electronic device ED can have a userinterface U12, that can display information associated with theoperation of the actively heated/cooled drinkware, dishware, serverware,etc. (as disclosed herein), and that can receive information (e.g.,instructions) from a user and communicate said information to theactively heated/cooled drinkware, dishware, serverware, etc. (asdisclosed herein).

Though the features and ideas disclosed above may be related to activelyheating or cooling food or beverage, the embodiments above may also beused to heat or cool air spaces, such as refrigeration devices, coldboxes, coolers, portable coolers, or portable refrigerators, or hotboxes, or warmer drawers, or heat chambers, or any other device thatwould benefit from the heating or cooling of the air within a definedcavity or chamber.

Though the features disclosed above may be described in connection withthe plate 100, 1100, mug 400, and travel mug 600, one of skill in theart will recognize that this embodiment can also apply to any liquidcontainer, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g., bowl, serving dish,hot plate, cup and/or liquid container), including the plate 100′, 800,800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400, travel mug 1700A, 2000, 2100, 2400, beermug 1600, baby bottle 1500, bread basket 2200, tortilla warmer 2300,etc. and the scope of disclosure and the invention is understood tocover such liquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware.

Though the embodiments above are described in connection with dishwareand drinkware, such as mugs, plates and travel mugs, one of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that the above described features andfunctions can also be incorporated into dinnerware, serverware (e.g.,serving platters, bowls, tureens, Chafing Dishes, coffee carafes, breadbaskets, bread warmers, tortilla warmers, trays, hot plates) andbakeware (e.g., casserole dishes) or bottles (e.g. baby bottles orportable drinking bottles) or other liquid or food containers.Additionally, the drinkware, dishware, serverware, etc. can be made of aceramic material or other suitable materials (e.g., plastic or glass).

Various embodiments reference an electronic module, such as theelectronic module 90, 490, 690. The term “electronic module” is meant torefer to electronics generally. Furthermore, the term “electronicmodule” should not be interpreted to require that the electronics be allin one physical location or connected to one single printed circuitboard (PCB). One of skill in the art will recognize that the electronicmodule or electronics disclosed herein can be in one or more (e.g.,plurality) of separate parts (coupled to one or a plurality of PCBs)and/or located in different physical locations of the body of the plate,serving dish, hot/cool plate, mug, travel mug, cup, liquid container orbaby bottle, as disclosed herein. That is, the electronic module orelectronics can have different form factors.

Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features,aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which variouschanges and modifications can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Moreover, the heated or cooleddishware and drinkware need not feature all of the objects, advantages,features and aspects discussed above. Thus, for example, those of skillin the art will recognize that the invention can be embodied or carriedout in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or a group ofadvantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectsor advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. In addition, while anumber of variations of the invention have been shown and described indetail, other modifications and methods of use, which are within thescope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill inthe art based upon this disclosure. For example, one of skill in the artwill recognize that the passive or active cooling elements describedabove for FIG. 9A can be incorporated into any of the other embodimentsdisclosed for the drinkware or dishware (e.g., plate 100, mug 400,travel mug 600). Additionally, one of skill in the art will recognizethat a vacuum chamber can also be incorporated into all embodimentsdescribed above, such as the mug 400, the plate 100′, bowl or servingdish and the travel mug 600′, in a manner similar to that describedabove in connection with the plate 100″, bowl or serving dish or travelmug 600″, cup or liquid container. It is contemplated that variouscombinations or subcombinations of these specific features and aspectsof embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of theinvention. In addition, though the embodiments disclosed herein may bedescribed in connection with a heated or cooled plate, mug, or travelmug, one of skill in the art will recognize that the features also applyto any liquid container, drinkware, dishware or serverware (e.g.,platter), including the plate 100′, 800, 800′, 900, 1100, 1300, 1400,mug 400, travel mug 600, hot/cooled plate 1200, and baby bottle 1500 andthe scope of disclosure and the invention is understood to cover suchliquid containers, drinkware, dishware and serverware. Accordingly, itshould be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosedembodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in orderto form varying modes of the discussed heated or cooled dishware,drinkware and/or serverware.

What is claimed is:
 1. An actively heated or cooled cup, mug, travelmug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container, comprising: abody having a receiving portion for receiving and holding a liquid; anda heating or cooling system, comprising two or more heating or coolingelements configured to actively heat or cool at least a portion of thereceiving portion of the body, control circuitry configured to controlthe operation of the two or more heating or cooling elements, and one ormore liquid level sensors configured to sense a liquid level in thereceiving portion and to communicate the sensed liquid level to thecontrol circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured tooperate each of the two or more heating or cooling elementsindependently of each other based at least in part on the sensed liquidlevel such that the control circuitry can turn off or turn on or reducepower to or increase power to at least one of the two or more heating orcooling elements based at least in part on the sensed liquid level,wherein as the sensed liquid level drops below a predetermined level,the control circuitry reduces power to or turns off at least said one ofthe two or more heating or cooling elements that is at least partiallyexposed above the liquid level or at least partially out of thermalcontact with the liquid due to the drop in liquid level.
 2. The activelyheated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, orliquid container of claim 1, wherein the two or more heating or coolingelements are two or more thermoelectric elements, wherein the controlcircuitry is configured to operate each of the two or morethermoelectric elements independently of each other based at least inpart on the sensed liquid level such that the control circuitry can turnoff or turn on or reduce power to or increase power to or reversepolarity to at least one of the two or more thermoelectric elementsbased at least in part on the sensed liquid level.
 3. The activelyheated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, orliquid container of claim 1, further comprising a wireless powerreceiver configured to receive wireless power from a power source and todirect said power to at least the control circuitry or two or moreheating or cooling elements.
 4. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug,travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim1, wherein as the sensed liquid level drops below a predetermined level,the control circuitry turns on power to or raises the power level to atleast one of the two or more heating or cooling elements that issubmerged below the liquid level or at least partially in thermalcontact with the liquid.
 5. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug,travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim1, further comprising one or more power storage elements configured toat least supply power to the two or more heating or cooling elements. 6.The actively heated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beermug, carafe, or liquid container of claim 1, further comprising adisplay screen on a surface of the body, the display screen electricallyconnected to the control circuitry.
 7. The actively heated or cooledcup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid containerof claim 1, further comprising a wireless transmitter or receiver and/ortransceiver configured to establish a communication connection with aremote device or mobile electronic device, the transceiver configured totransmit operation information to the remote device or mobile electronicdevice as well as to receive instructions from the remote device ormobile electronic device.
 8. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug,travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim1, wherein the control circuitry operates the two or more heating orcooling elements to induce circulation of the liquid in the receivingportion to achieve a generally uniform temperature in the volume ofliquid in the receiving portion.
 9. An actively heated or cooled cup,mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container,comprising: a body having a receiving portion for receiving and holdinga liquid; and a heating or cooling system, comprising two or moreheating or cooling elements configured to actively heat or cool at leasta portion of the receiving portion of the body, and control circuitryconfigured to control the operation of the two or more heating orcooling elements, wherein the control of or location of the two or moreheating or cooling elements is configured to induce a circulation ofliquid within the receiving portion of the body to maintain a generallyuniform liquid temperature within the volume of liquid in the receivingportion, wherein the control circuitry is configured to operate each ofthe two or more heating or cooling elements independently of each otherbased at least in part on a sensed liquid level and wherein as thesensed liquid level drops below a predetermined level, the controlcircuitry reduces power to or turns off at least said one of the two ormore heating or cooling elements that is at least partially exposedabove the liquid level or at least partially out of thermal contact withthe liquid due to the drop in liquid level.
 10. The actively heated orcooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquidcontainer of claim 9, wherein the two or more heating or coolingelements are two or more thermoelectric elements, wherein the controlcircuitry is configured to operate each of the two or morethermoelectric elements independently of each other based at least inpart on a sensed liquid level such that the control circuitry can turnoff or turn on or reduce power to or increase power to or reversepolarity to at least one of the two or more thermoelectric elementsbased at least in part on the sensed liquid level.
 11. The activelyheated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, orliquid container of claim 9, further comprising a wireless powerreceiver configured to receive wireless power from a power source and todirect said power to at least the control circuitry or two or moreheating or cooling elements.
 12. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug,travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim9, further comprising one or more power storage elements configured toat least supply power to the two or more heating or cooling elements.13. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle,beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim 9, further comprising adisplay screen on a surface of the body, the display screen electricallyconnected to the control circuitry.
 14. The actively heated or cooledcup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid containerof claim 9, further comprising a wireless transmitter or receiver and/ortransceiver configured to establish a communication connection with aremote device or mobile electronic device, the transceiver configured totransmit operation information to the remote device or mobile electronicdevice as well as to receive instructions from the remote device ormobile electronic device.
 15. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug,travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim9, wherein as the sensed liquid level drops below a predetermined level,the control circuitry turns on power to or raises the power level to atleast one of the two or more heating or cooling elements that issubmerged below the liquid level or at least partially in thermalcontact with the liquid.
 16. An actively heated or cooled cup, mug,travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe or liquid container,comprising: a body having a receiving portion for receiving and holdinga liquid; and a heating or cooling system, comprising two or moreheating or cooling elements configured to actively heat or cool at leasta portion of the receiving portion of the body, one or more powerstorage elements, a wireless power receiver configured to wirelesslyreceive power from a power source, control circuitry electricallyconnected to the wireless power receiver, the control circuitryconfigured to control the charging of the one or more power storageelements and to control the delivery of electricity from the one or morepower storage elements to the two or more heating or cooling elements tomaintain a temperature of the liquid at a predetermined drinkingtemperature or within a predetermined drinking temperature range, andone or more ultrasound liquid sensors configured to sense a level of theliquid in the receiving portion via a change in frequency and tocommunicate said sensed level information to the control circuitry,wherein the control circuitry is configured to operate the two or moreheating or cooling elements independently of each other to actively heator cool at least a portion of the receiving portion of the body tomaintain the temperature of the liquid generally at a user selected orfactory preset drinking temperature setting based at least in part onthe sensed liquid level, wherein as the sensed liquid level drops belowa predetermined level, the control circuitry reduces power to or turnsoff at least said one of the two or more heating or cooling elementsthat is at least partially exposed above the liquid level or at leastpartially out of thermal contact with the liquid due to the drop inliquid level.
 17. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug,baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim 16, whereinthe two or more heating or cooling elements are two or morethermoelectric elements, wherein the control circuitry is configured tooperate each of the two or more thermoelectric elements independently ofeach other based at least in part on the sensed liquid level such thatthe control circuitry can turn off or turn on or reduce power to orincrease power to or reverse polarity to at least one of the two or morethermoelectric elements based at least in part on the sensed liquidlevel.
 18. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, babybottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim 16, whereincontrol circuitry operates the heating or cooling elements to inducecirculation of the liquid in the receiving portion to achieve agenerally uniform temperature in the volume of liquid in the receivingportion.
 19. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, babybottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim 16, furthercomprising a display screen on a surface of the body, the display screenelectrically connected to the control circuitry.
 20. The actively heatedor cooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquidcontainer of claim 16, further comprising a wireless transmitter orreceiver and/or transceiver configured to establish a communicationconnection with a remote device or mobile electronic device, thetransceiver configured to transmit operation information to the remotedevice or mobile electronic device as well as to receive instructionsfrom the remote device or mobile electronic device.
 21. The activelyheated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, orliquid container of claim 16, wherein as the sensed liquid level dropsbelow a predetermined level, the control circuitry turns on power to orraises the power level to at least one of the two or more heating orcooling elements that is submerged below the liquid level or at leastpartially in thermal contact with the liquid.
 22. An actively heated orcooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe or liquidcontainer, comprising: a body having a receiving portion for receivingand holding a liquid; and a heating or cooling system, comprising two ormore heating or cooling elements configured to actively heat or cool atleast a portion of the receiving portion of the body, one or more powerstorage elements, and control circuitry electrically connected to awireless power receiver, the control circuitry configured to control thecharging of the one or more power storage elements and to control thedelivery of electricity from the one or more power storage elements tothe two or more heating or cooling elements to actively raise or lowerthe temperature of the liquid to a predetermined drinking temperature ordrinking temperature range, a wireless transmitter or receiver and/ortransceiver configured to establish a communication connection with aremote device or mobile electronic device, the transceiver configured totransmit operation information to the remote device or mobile electronicdevice as well as to receive instructions from the remote device ormobile electronic device, and a display screen on a surface of the body,the display screen being electrically connected to the controlcircuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to operate eachof the two or more heating or cooling elements independently of eachother based at least in part on a sensed liquid level and wherein as thesensed liquid level drops below a predetermined level, the controlcircuitry reduces power to or turns off at least said one of the two ormore heating or cooling elements that is at least partially exposedabove the liquid level or at least partially out of thermal contact withthe liquid due to the drop in liquid level.
 23. The actively heated orcooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquidcontainer of claim 22, wherein the two or more heating or coolingelements are two or more thermoelectric elements, wherein the controlcircuitry is configured to operate each of the two or morethermoelectric elements independently of each other based at least inpart on a sensed liquid level such that the control circuitry can turnoff or turn on or reduce power to or increase power to or reversepolarity to at least one of the two or more thermoelectric elementsbased at least in part on the sensed liquid level.
 24. The activelyheated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, orliquid container of claim 22, further comprising a wireless powerreceiver configured to receive wireless power from a power source and todirect said power to at least the control circuitry or two or moreheating or cooling elements.
 25. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug,travel mug, baby bottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim22, wherein control circuitry operates the heating or cooling elementsto induce circulation of the liquid in the receiving portion to achievea generally uniform temperature in the volume of liquid in the receivingportion.
 26. The actively heated or cooled cup, mug, travel mug, babybottle, beer mug, carafe, or liquid container of claim 22, wherein asthe sensed liquid level drops below a predetermined level, the controlcircuitry turns on power to or raises the power level to at least one ofthe two or more heating or cooling elements that is submerged below theliquid level or at least partially in thermal contact with the liquid.